Having a high old time

People in their 60s taking cocaine | Ireland among top EU drug users

- SEAN MURPHY

MORE people in Ireland are starting to take cocaine in their 60s, while kids as young as 10 are acting as runners for dealers, according to a drug addiction expert.

The remark comes after it was revealed Ireland has one of the highest number of drug users in the EU, according to a new United Nations report.

Ireland is ranked fourth worldwide and on the same level as the US and behind only Spain, Holland and Australia.

Dr Colin O'Gara spoke out as the UN's Office on Drugs and Crime issued the report.

The claims prompted Dr O'Gara to warn cocaine use is becoming "normalised" because the problem is so rife and widespread. The university professor said people are starting to take cocaine in their 60s across the nation, even in rural farming and GAA towns.