In the Irish capital, crack users are increasing in number. The number of people seeking crack substitution treatment in Dublin has increased by 594% in recent years, from 173 cases in 2017 to 1,201 in 2023.
Ferghal Connolly, a regular user in his twenties, confided to the BBC about his addiction: “I went from a few beers to a few ecstasy tablets, then to other things, and I ended up taking heroin and crack.”
“Detoxification programs are always full”
Daithi Doolan, active within the South Inner City Drug and Alcohol Partnership, a program aimed at combating drug addiction, warns: “Dublin is facing a real crack crisis. They are everywhere: at the end of school, and sometimes even in the playgrounds!” Also a municipal councilor for the city, he highlights the difficulties of residents, also affected by the scourge: “It is very hard for the local population who are confronted with it every day. The intimidation of traffickers affects passers-by and residents of neighborhoods who have not asked for anything.”
According to local toxicologists, the increase in crack consumption is linked to the shortage of heroin, due to recent geopolitical changes in Afghanistan. Consumers would thus have fallen back on crack, which was more accessible.
To combat the phenomenon and best support addicts, free programs to help addicts are set up. Alan Kinsella, manager of the Coolmine therapeutic center, says: “We have a specific program aimed at working with people who use cocaine, whether it is powder cocaine or crack cocaine.” He laments: “The sessions of this program have always been sold out, which gives an idea of the scale of consumption…
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