High increase of young women taking cocainé

Citizens' Assembly on Drugs warned amount of treatments tripled

- PAT FLANAGAN

THERE has been a huge increase in the rates of young women taking cocaine, a leading drugs expert disclosed yesterday.

Prof Eamon Keenan also told the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use there had been a "tripling" in people presenting for treatment in the last six years.

Prof Keenan, the HSE's lead on addiction, revealed there are 11,359 people on opioid replacement therapy out of an estimated total of around 20,000 users.

He also told the assembly there had been a rise in THC content in cannabis the principal psychoactive constituent of the drug.

Prof Keenan also said the psychiatric admissions linked to cannabis and cocaine have increased.

Garda Assistant Commissioner Justin Kelly told the gathering that more than €335million worth of drugs were seized in the last eight years, along with 147 firearms and €28million in cash.

While ave pred dle e of es there have been widespread calls for the legalisation of some drugs, Mr Kelly expressed concern over any potential plans.