This article is from page 4 of the 2008-05-20 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
COCAINE has halved in price in Clare in recent years and has become more readily available, according to gardai.
The revelation comes amid reports that the number of people receiving treatment for drug abuse increased by 33 per cent in the mid-west, be- tween 2001 and 2006.
The report, by the Health Research Board last week, highlighted the worrying trend that the number of people addicted to drugs has risen significantly all over the country, over the five-year period.
Gardai in Clare say this period con-
tributed immensely to the growth in the use of cocaine.
According to sources, at the start the decade, cocaine was available for around €150 per gram, but is now available for just €70 or less.
‘There has been a huge increase in cocaine over that particular period (2001 to 2006),” said a garda source.
“It went from a very low base to a very popular drug in that space of time,” he said.
“At one stage it was an expensive drug and money was scarce. It was perceived as being available to the upper class and then young peo- ple became more affluent,’ said the source.
Gardai also believe that as cocaine has become more readily available, its quality has deteriorated.
They say the demand for the highly addictive drug has increased in Clare over the past few years.
‘The evidence is there is a substan- tial demand for cocaine locally. It is being supplied by the criminal gangs from Limerick. It has become a phe- nomenon throughout the country. So-called decent individuals have displayed extraordinary violence having consumed cocaine,’ added the source.
The Health Research Board report suggested that 18 per cent of people presenting for treatment for problem
drug abuse were under the age of 18. The trend in Clare is in line with Wek
“It seems to take off in their late teens, with youngsters experiment- ing in their mid to late teens. Lack of parental control plays a role,” added the source.
Gardai also say that heroin has steadily spread around the county.
‘There is a core group involved in heroin.
“It has spread throughout the Clare division and has become a serious habit for some, in major centres like Kilrush, Killaloe, Ennis and Shan- non and also even in rural parts of the county,’ added the source.