Taoiseach warns of cocaine 'epidemic' as drug use surges across Ireland
Micheál Martin noted there is a growing use of cocaine across the country, while alcohol consumption has declined in recent years.
'From what I hear anecdotally, the use and the prevalence of cocaine use has grown significantly, and that is very worrying in terms of the health of the nation and younger people in particular,' Mr Martin said, speaking in Tokyo.
'It's very bad for one's health, apart from behavioural traits that can flow from it.'
A United Nations report from 2023 found that Ireland was the fourth-highest consumer of cocaine globally. It revealed that 2.4% of people in Ireland used cocaine in 2019, the most recent year for which data was available.
His comments came a day after €31m worth of cocaine was seized in Courtmacsharry, in a shipment gardaí believe was destined for the UK market.
The Taoiseach added that this was not the first major cocaine seizure in the area and highlighted the massive haul recovered from the MV Matthew in recent years.
Mr Martin said the issue shows that it is not just an Irish problem, but that cocaine is 'everywhere.'
'On the alcohol story, it's interesting, consumption has gone significantly down over the last 20 years, which is a positive from a public health perspective.
'But then there clearly is an increase in drug use, and we've had terrible tragedies, terrible, terrible, tragedies with people as a result of using cocaine or other drugs also. Drugs kill people and kill people pretty quickly.'
When asked if he believed there was a link between the fall in alcohol consumption and the rise in cocaine use, Mr Martin said it was possible, and that he had discussed the issue just the previous weekend.
'I think we need more scientific analysis of that. There could very well be, there could very well be a link between the two and that would be very worrying,' Mr Martin said.
Regarding the seizure in Courtmacsharry, Mr Martin praised gardaí, the defence forces, and the navy for their coordinated effort in intercepting the drugs.
'What's wonderful there is the integration and coordination of all the agencies working with European agencies as well. Multidisciplinary teams are the best in any field of life. Breakdown the silos,' Mr Martin said.
'They work together, you can really catch traffickers. And this has been highly effective.'
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Gardaí suspect €31m Courtmacsherry cocaine haul was destined for UK market
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