New research commissioned by health authorities indicates for the first time the extent to which cocaine is playing a major role in the social life of younger people, writes Carl O'Brien, Social Affairs Correspondent.
A national survey to be published today by the Health Service Executive (HSE) will show that most cocaine users (91 per cent) take it with friends. Most cocaine users get the drug from friends (83 per cent) and 15 per cent have been asked to supply a colleague with cocaine.
The main reason people say they take it is for fun (80 per cent) and because it makes them feel good (48 per cent). About 25 per cent say it has had a negative impact on their relationships, while about 75 per cent say they spend so much on cocaine that it has affected their finances.
The study also shows that cocaine users greatly under- estimate the health risks posed by the drug. The figures will be released at the launch of an awareness campaign today on the dangers of cocaine use which is being organised by the HSE and the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.
The main aim is to communicate the dangers of cocaine use to recreational users in the 15-34 age group. In particular it will focus on the potentially lethal effects of combining cocaine with alcohol.
The latest official figures indicate that there has been a sharp rise in the proportion of younger people using the drug in recent years.
A study by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) shows that the number of young adults who have used the drug has almost doubled from 4.5 per cent to 7.8 per cent in the space of just over three years.
While health authorities hope the campaign may lead to greater awareness about the drug's dangers, it comes on the heels of a previous anti-drugs campaign which was hampered by a shortage of resources and poor planning, according to an independent review. The two-year campaign, which highlighted the dangers of drugs such as cannabis and cocaine between 2003 and 2005, was judged to have fallen short of its aims and objectives by researchers at NUI Galway's department of health promotion.
As well as a national awareness campaign, the Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, Pat Carey, is expected to announce that funding will also be provided for localised campaigns in different parts of the State.
HSE officials say the new campaign was carefully developed using health professionals and a number of focus groups. The first phase of the campaign, which will involve television, internet and radio advertising, is estimated to cost in the region of €700,000.