Schoolkids are now factoring in cocaine into their Debs night budget, it has been claimed.
It’s emerged youngsters appear to be taking the drug more than ever and see it as “the norm”.
Graham Ryall, from the Rialto Community Drug Team in Dublin, believes teenagers are getting the illegal narcotic as part and parcel of their big night out.
He said: “One thing I have heard is cocaine is very present at Debs nights.
“It’s very much part of that occasion, the limousine and the cocaine.
“It’s very much part of the Debs package, the limo, the suits, the dresses, the lifestyle and cocaine is very much part of that.
“That would be very common. It’s all part of a lifestyle they think is attainable. Cocaine is normalised in this country.
“If someone went into a nightclub and smoked heroin they would be thrown out but cocaine is being used in pubs and clubs up and down the country every weekend.
“There is so much cocaine coming into this country.
“There has certainly been an upturn in those engaging with our service for cocaine over the last three to five years.
“Cocaine in Ireland in a nutshell is normalised, it is very varied and it is problematic.
“People don’t see it as being problematic. Drugs today, be it whatever drug, they are easily accessible and affordable. The money that is being made in the drugs market at the moment is absolutely huge.
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“If you are out for the night and you have got your bag of cocaine and you are drinking on top of that, well alcohol enhances the cocaine and the cocaine enhances the alcohol.
“In young people’s eyes, cocaine is what the rock stars take, that’s what the models take, the wealthy. What can be wrong with that? They say to themselves, ‘I’m not going to end up with a needle hanging out of my arm’.
“That’s all nonsense. Cocaine is not sold as that, it’s sold as a drug that will make you feel great and will let you be the centre of attention.”
Community development manager at Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign, Anna Quigley, said the drug is readily available.
She added: “There is a lot of cocaine around which means the number of those using it is up too.
“Marijuana is definitely the drug which has seen the biggest growth.
“The key thing with young people is rather than rather than focusing on the specific drug they are taking, it’s about focusing on why they are using them?
“To be honest if it’s using cocaine or weed, the real issue is if the services are there to help. All the cuts that were made during the recession was never restored to these projects.”
