Ireland, one of Europe’s most prosperous economies, is facing a rapidly expanding crisis that can no longer be ignored. Cocaine and its much cheaper derivative, crack, have become part of everyday reality, and authorities warn that the scale of the phenomenon exceeds anything seen before in this country.
The documentary “Ireland: the Cocaine Crisis”, made by ARTE, shows how, in just a few years, Ireland went from a relatively small drug market to one of the largest in Europe, fueled by a growing demand and increasing quantities of drugs entering by sea.
Official data
According to official data, more than 13,000 people sought drug addiction treatment in a single year, and cocaine became the main reason people sought help. At the same time, around 300,000 adults in Ireland used illegal drugs in a 12-month period, with cocaine being one of the most commonly used substances. Specialists say addiction sets in quickly and the social effects are visible on a large scale.
Ireland has, in parallel, become a strategic target for international traffickers. The geographical position, modern ports and high volume of commercial transport have made the country an attractive point for criminal networks. The moment that confirmed the extent of the phenomenon occurred in 2023, when the authorities intercepted the MV Matthew and discovered more than 2.2 tons of cocaine, worth approximately 157 million euros. It was the biggest seizure and clear evidence that Ireland has become an important route in global drug trafficking.
The profits generated by cocaine are huge. Criminal networks operate through complex systems, using front companies, middlemen and legitimate trade routes to get drugs in without attracting suspicion. Irish police have seized drugs and goods worth hundreds of millions of euros and made hundreds of arrests, but authorities admit the phenomenon continues to grow.
The difference between cocaine and crack and their impact on society.
Cocaine, in its classic form, is a powerful stimulant that is generally more expensive and associated with urban environments and recreational use. Crack, on the other hand, is a processed form of cocaine that is smoked and produces a much faster and more intense but shorter-lasting high. It is significantly cheaper and much more accessible, making it extremely dangerous for vulnerable communities.
The low price
The low price and accessibility has accelerated the spread of addiction. If in the past cocaine was considered a drug associated with certain social groups, crack extended the phenomenon to a much wider segment of the population. Authorities and social organizations warn that this development is changing the nature of the crisis and making it more difficult to control.
Cocaine use has risen rapidly in recent years and Ireland is now among the European countries with the highest levels of use. This growth has been accompanied by an expansion of criminal networks and increased pressure on the health system and law enforcement. Police continue to carry out major operations, including internationally coordinated interventions, but traffickers are adapting quickly and using increasingly sophisticated methods.
The conclusion is clear: Ireland is no longer just a consumer market, but a territory contested by international criminal networks. The quantities of drugs entering the country are increasing, and addiction is becoming a major social problem. The authorities are trying to limit the phenomenon, but its scale shows that the battle is far from being won.
Ireland’s cocaine crisis is no longer an isolated problem. It is a reality that affects the whole of society and continues to expand, at a rate that worries both authorities and public health experts.
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