A report on cocaine use has said that indicators point to a continued increase in the use of the drug across all sections of society.
The report, prepared by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and the National Drugs Strategy Team, says that between 1998 and 2003 the number of people presenting themselves for treatment with cocaine as their primary problem increased threefold.
The study, entitled 'An Overview of Cocaine Use in Ireland', says that more needs to be done to publicise the services available to cocaine users.
It also says that the increasing use of cocaine has caused sharp increases in public disturbances, noise, intimidation and violence in communities around the country.
