2004 March - Cocaine in Local Communities Survey of Community Drug Projects - March 2004

In response to requests from a number of community groups across the city, Citywide held its first meeting on the issue of cocaine in September 2002. The purpose of the meeting was to assess the extent of the emerging cocaine problem in Dublin communities and the discussions at the meeting confirmed that cocaine was now a significant issue in many parts of the city. The community organisations identified a need for more information on cocaine, its impact and treatment.

In March 2003 Citywide organised an information/training day on cocaine which was attended by groups from across Dublin. The meeting indicated the need for services for cocaine users to be developed in local communities, but the three ERHA health boards that attended indicated an absence of resources to develop these services. The National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) launched a report on cocaine in December 2003, which also highlighted the need to respond to the growing cocaine problem.

In October 2003 Minister of State Noel Ahern T.D. said in the Dàil that additional guidelines were not required to deal with cocaine abuse in Ireland, because the number of people presenting for treatment represented just 1% of those receiving help for drug abuse.

In response to this statement, Citywide carried out a survey of community drug projects to find out if cocaine users are being seen by local services, if so what services can currently be offered to them and what other services may need to be developed. The results of the survey illustrate the experience of groups who are working directly on the ground with drug users in their local communities.