Key findings

Lifetime cocaine use increased in 2010/11 when compared to 2006/7.² The proportion of adults who reported using cocaine (including crack) at some point in their lives increased from 5% in 2006/7 to 7% in 2010/11 (Table 1). The proportion of young adults who reported using cocaine in their lifetime also increased, from 8% in 2006/7 to 9% in 2010/11. As expected, more men reported using cocaine in their lifetime than women, 10% compared to 4%.  However, the proportion of adults who reported using cocaine in the last year (recent use) remained stable between 2006/7 and 2010/11 at just under 2% (Table 1). The proportion of young adults who reported using cocaine in the last year also remained stable at 3%.

 The proportion of adults who reported using cocaine in the last month (current use) also remained unchanged between 2006/7 and 2010/11 at less than 1%.

 Of the 5,134 survey respondents, 7% had used cocaine powder; crack cocaine use was rarely reported (0.6%). Half of all cocaine powder users commenced cocaine use before they were 21 years old, while half of all crack users commenced before they were 23 years old. Since 2006/7 there has been no change in the median age at which either cocaine powder or crack cocaine use commenced.  

 Of the 26 current cocaine powder users, 95.5% used cocaine less than once per week, while 4.5% used it at least once per week. The majority of the current cocaine powder users (95%) reported snorting the drug, while the remaining 5% reported smoking it.  No other form of cocaine use was reported.

 Of the 76 recent cocaine powder users, only 4% obtained their cocaine from a person who was not known to them. Cocaine powder was most commonly obtained at the home of a friend (39%) or at a disco, bar or club (37%). The majority (70%) of recent cocaine powder users said that it was easy to obtain within a 24-hour period.

 Of the 75 self-defined ‘regular’ cocaine powder users, 83% had successfully stopped taking cocaine. The most common reasons for discontinuing were: did not want to continue using it (18%), could no longer afford it (17%), concerns about its health effects (15%), pros did not outweigh the cons (14%), and no longer part of social life (13%).

 Trying cocaine once or twice was perceived as a ‘great risk’ by 74% of those surveyed.  This perception of risk was particularly marked (at 78%) among those who had never tried cocaine, compared to that of lifetime users at (30%).

 Variation in cocaine prevalence was analysed by a number of socio-economic indicators (social class, work status and age ceased education) none of which proved statistically significant.  However, renting from a private landlord, having a third-level education and co-habiting were all associated with a significantly higher prevalence of lifetime cocaine use.  

The findings of this survey should be interpreted with care in view of the small number of responses on which the patterns of cocaine use are based. The socially excluded population is unlikely to be represented in a general population survey of this kind; its members may not live at a fixed address or, if listed, may be difficult to locate for interview.

1. National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol, and Drug and Alcohol Information and Research Unit (2014) Drug use in Ireland and Northern Ireland. 2010/11 drug prevalence survey: cocaine results. Bulletin 4. Dublin: NACDA and DAIRU. www.drugsandalcohol.ie/21727

2. National Advisory Committee on Drugs, and Public Health Information and Research Branch (2008) Drug use in Ireland and Northern Ireland. 2006/2007 drug prevalence survey: cocaine results. Bulletin 4. Dublin: NACD and PHIRB.  www.drugsandalcohol.ie/11528