Overall, the three area health boards of the Eastern Regional Health Authority report that information from users and outreach staff indicates that crack cocaine does not appear to be a significant problem in the Dublin region at present. However, one area health board reports that its drugs service has noticed an increase in cocaine use over the last six months, particularly in the inner city area.
I understand from my colleague, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, that a special operation is in place to investigate the appearance of crack cocaine and a particular group is being targeted in this regard. He has also informed me that he has been assured by An Garda Síochána that there is no evidence to suggest a growing presence, or the widespread availability, of crack cocaine in Dublin or elsewhere in the country and that they continuously monitor and analyse the trends and patterns in illicit drug use based upon seizure data. They are well aware, from foreign experience, of the addictive and behaviour changing nature of crack cocaine and in this context, the incidence of cocaine base usage will be kept under review, with the utmost urgency being attached to investigations in this area.