Ireland has registered a record rise in the number of people treated for drug addiction, according to the Health Research Board (HRB).
A total of 13,104 drug treatment cases were recorded last year, an increase of more than 1,000 cases in comparison to 2022.
As per HRB findings, there has been a sharp increase in cocaine use, particularly among women.
A 228 per cent increase was recorded in the number of cases since 2017 where cocaine was the main problem drug. Whereas, there was a 388 per cent increase in women seeking treatment for cocaine use in the same period, with 1,387 cases being recorded in 2023 as opposed to 284 in 2017.
While cocaine is the most common drug reported among new cases, the proportion of cases reporting cannabis or opioids as their main problem drug has come down, according to the findings.