As I have informed the House on many occasions, I am aware of the evidence of an increase in the prevalence of cocaine use, particularly through the local drugs task forces and the research done by the national advisory committee on drugs.
Initial results from the 2002-03 drug prevalence survey, which looked at the overall national position, and were launched last October showed that 3.1% of the population aged between 15 and 64 years have ever used cocaine, 1.1% used it in the last 12 months and 0.3% used in the last month. Similar results for the 15-34 age group show slightly higher usage: 4.8% have ever used cocaine, 2% have used in the last year and 0.7% reported usage in the last month. Compared with similar surveys undertaken in other European countries, these figures suggest that use in Ireland is close to the average.
Bulletin 2 of the survey was launched last week and contains data by health board area. The figures show that prevalence of all drugs varies considerably across the country, although there appears to be a higher prevalence in the east and particularly in the ERHA region. The figures for the prevalence of cocaine in the three ERHA health boards are: in the East Coast Area Health Board, 10.5% of those surveyed in the 15 to 34 age group reported ever using cocaine, 4.4% reported usage in the last year and 0.6% reported using cocaine in the last month.
In the Northern Area Health Board, 7.7% of those surveyed in the 15 to 34 age group reported ever using cocaine, 3.6% reported using in the last year and 1.6% reported using cocaine in the last month. In the South Western Area Health Board, 7.3% of those surveyed in the 15 to 34 age group reported ever using cocaine, 2.1% reported using in the last year and 1.1% reported usage in the last month. The bulletin does not contain any mention of a cocaine prevalence rate, in any area, of 41%.
The numbers presenting for treatment of cocaine related problems, according to the most recent figures available, remain very low and make up approximately 1% of the overall number. Garda authorities advise me that there are indications of an increase in the availability and use of cocaine. However, offences involving cocaine still represent a small proportion of the overall number of drug offences annually, approximately 5.5% of all such offences, according to the most recent Garda annual report. The increase seems to coincide with an increase in the availability and use of cocaine in Europe generally, as a result of increased production, particularly in Colombia, and a consequential drop in the street price.
Through implementing the 100 actions in the National Drugs Strategy 2001-2008 and through projects and initiatives operated through the local drugs task forces and the young people's facilities and services fund the problem of cocaine use can be addressed. Each local drugs task force has an action plan to tackle drug use in its area based on its identified priorities. These projects deal with supply reduction, prevention, treatment and rehabilitation for a range of drugs including cocaine. Most drug users engage in poly-drug use and, therefore, projects should be able to address this pattern rather than concentrate on one drug to the exclusion of others. Since 1997, the Government has allocated or spent over €65 million to implement the projects under the two rounds of task force plans.
Regional drug task forces have been established in each health board area throughout the country. Where cocaine use is found to be a problem, this can be reflected in the measures proposed in their forthcoming regional actions plans. The young people's facilities and services fund is doing valuable preventative work. The fund aims to attract "at risk" young people in disadvantaged areas into facilities, programmes and activities that will divert them away from the dangers of drug misuse. Over €72 million has been allocated under the fund to support in the region of 450 facility and services projects. It is vital that we continue to invest in facilities and services in areas worst affected by drugs if we are to stop the flow of young people into a life of addiction.
There is no substitution treatment drug for cocaine and existing services, such as counselling and behavioural therapy are the best treatments available. The three area health boards of the ERHA have recruited additional counsellors and outreach workers in recent years.
I am keeping the matter of cocaine use under review. Furthermore, the strategy provides for an independent evaluation of the effectiveness of the overall framework by the end of 2004. This will examine the progress being made in achieving the overall key strategic goals set out in the strategy and will enable priorities for further action to be identified and a re-focusing of the strategy, if necessary. The need to amend the strategy to reflect changing patterns of drug use will be considered in that context.
Finally, over recent months I have visited several local drugs task force areas and discussed with community representatives and others the nature of the drug problem in their areas, including the issue of cocaine. I have asked the national drugs strategy team to consider how best to develop proposals to help address this issue at a local level.
