Addiction Services Warn of Growing Crack Cocaine Crisis - 18/06/2026

New figures from the Health Research Board show a sharp rise in the number of people seeking treatment for crack cocaine use in Ireland. Demand for treatment increased by 31% last year alone and has risen by more than 900% over the past decade.Crack cocaine, a chemically altered form of cocaine that is typically smoked, produces a more intense but shorter-lasting high. Those working on the frontline of addiction services say the treatment figures reflect what they are seeing every day, with crack cocaine becoming increasingly prevalent in communities across the country.Experts point to the drug's affordability and widespread availability as key factors driving its growth. Eddie Mullins, Chief Executive of Merchants Quay Ireland, says crack cocaine is now the most common substance his organisation encounters and Eddie joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.