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11/02/2008
Cocaine Users Don't Care About Health Risk
Hard drug users across Ireland don't care about the risks they are taking.
According to new research published today, people who use cocaine are unaware of, or underestimate, the risks of using the drug.
According to the research, which looks at the habits and attitudes of cocaine users aged 18-34 in Ireland, nearly two thirds of people who use cocaine (64%) are unconvinced or do not believe that cocaine is a highly addictive drug.
About one in seven users (14% approx) become dependent on cocaine and one in 20 users become addicted in the first year of use.
Furthermore, only two in five users (43%) are concerned about the effect cocaine use has on their health.
Although 37% of users acknowledged that violent crimes and murder are often committed as a result of cocaine use, just 11% admitted they could feel violent when taking the drug, while 81% disagreed that they could feel violent.
There does not appear to be much stigma attached to use of the drug, with 54% saying their close friends were aware of their use and just 3% reporting that no-one knew about their cocaine use.
The research also found 40% of cocaine users used the drug at least once in the last two or three months, with 20% saying they take the drug at least once a month.
It was found that 64% reported having used cocaine on a weekday evening out with friends and 24% said they have used the drug on a weekday evening at home.
The figures were announced at the launch of the national drugs awareness campaign "The Party's Over", which was officially unveiled by the Irish Minister of State Pat Carey.
"Prevention, including education and awareness, is one of the five pillars of the National Drugs Strategy and I welcome this campaign which aims to dispel the myths about cocaine use," said Minister Carey.
"I believe the country is waking up to the deadly effects it can have on the people who use it. Over the last seven years, the Government has worked hard to tackle supply, provide treatment, educate people and conduct research.
"We are exploring different prevention strategies and a new national drugs strategy is in development."
(BMcC)
According to new research published today, people who use cocaine are unaware of, or underestimate, the risks of using the drug.
According to the research, which looks at the habits and attitudes of cocaine users aged 18-34 in Ireland, nearly two thirds of people who use cocaine (64%) are unconvinced or do not believe that cocaine is a highly addictive drug.
About one in seven users (14% approx) become dependent on cocaine and one in 20 users become addicted in the first year of use.
Furthermore, only two in five users (43%) are concerned about the effect cocaine use has on their health.
Although 37% of users acknowledged that violent crimes and murder are often committed as a result of cocaine use, just 11% admitted they could feel violent when taking the drug, while 81% disagreed that they could feel violent.
There does not appear to be much stigma attached to use of the drug, with 54% saying their close friends were aware of their use and just 3% reporting that no-one knew about their cocaine use.
The research also found 40% of cocaine users used the drug at least once in the last two or three months, with 20% saying they take the drug at least once a month.
It was found that 64% reported having used cocaine on a weekday evening out with friends and 24% said they have used the drug on a weekday evening at home.
The figures were announced at the launch of the national drugs awareness campaign "The Party's Over", which was officially unveiled by the Irish Minister of State Pat Carey.
"Prevention, including education and awareness, is one of the five pillars of the National Drugs Strategy and I welcome this campaign which aims to dispel the myths about cocaine use," said Minister Carey.
"I believe the country is waking up to the deadly effects it can have on the people who use it. Over the last seven years, the Government has worked hard to tackle supply, provide treatment, educate people and conduct research.
"We are exploring different prevention strategies and a new national drugs strategy is in development."
(BMcC)
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