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Furor Over Increased Cocaine Use in Ireland  The
high-profile death of Irish model Katy French (see John Spain’s
“Ireland Today” column on page 70) has thrown a spotlight
on the prevalence of cocaine in Irish society. The 24-year-old collapsed
at a party and went into a coma from which she never recovered.
An autopsy revealed she had taken cocaine and alcohol, the combined effects
of which have been blamed for costing the model her life. Prime Time,
an investigative TV current affairs programme with RTE, the national broadcasting
service, examined the extent of cocaine use across Ireland.
A total of 296 pubs and nightclubs were surveyed and traces of cocaine
were found in the bathrooms of 92 percent of premises tested nationwide.
The findings tested positive at a broad cross-section of venues, including
facilities at Croke Park, the Abbey Theatre, and RTE itself. Dr. Des Corrigan,
head of the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, said the survey confirmed
how widespread cocaine use had become.
The Prime Time program broadcast soon after Katy French’s death.
The young model’s misfortune was followed a similar tragedy in
Waterford when two young men – John Grey, 23 and Kevin Doyle, 21
– both went into a coma after eating a quantity of cocaine. “Kevin
and John’s families and the families of all drugs victims deserve
the sympathy and understanding of the nation just as much as does Katy’s
family,” said French’s co-model friend Andrea Roche.
The Prime Time findings elicited a predictable response from political
figures. Charlie Flanagan, Fine Gael spokesman on justice, called for
random garda checks in pubs and nightclubs to “clamp down on the
fast-growing popularity of cocaine and counter the widespread perception
that cocaine is an acceptable drug. “Pubs and nightclubs must be
aware of their responsibilities to prevent illegal drugs being consumed
on their premises,” he added. “If traces of cocaine are found
at a venue then the owner should expect serious consequences.”
Director of Crosscare Drugs Awareness Program, Chris Murphy was skeptical
that punishment would counter addiction. “Cocaine is a social drug
and people use it in pursuit of a high or euphoric feeling,” said
Murphy.
“People who have gone beyond experimental use can’t kick the
addiction on their own. They must get help from other people.
“It [random drug searches] is one thing that will help among many,
when a whole lot of approaches are taken it could be more effective,”
he added. “I don't think imprisonment is helpful, it doesn’t
put cocaine-users off the drug in fact it would make it worse rather than
better. Community service would be a better punishment.”
Dr Chris Luke, a practitioner at Mercy Hospital Cork, was critical that
it should take the death of ‘beloved celebrities’ to raise
public awareness of the crisis. Dr Luke said he saw four or five new patients
seriously ill from cocaine every week.
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