Source: Government of Ireland
Treatment demand for cocaine increased sharply in 2025 compared to the increase observed between 2023 and 2024. Powder cocaine increased by 282.5% and crack cocaine increased by 906.4% over the time period (2017- 2025).
Minister Murnane O’Connor said:
Minister Murnane O’Connor added:
The Department of Health’s expenditure amounted €176m on drug services in 2025, with Budget 2026 securing further funding of €1.5m, the focus which being an increase in treatment capacity for under-served communities, in particular in rural areas.
The National Drug Treatment Reporting System presents data on treated problem drug use (excluding alcohol) for 2025, together with trends over the nine-year period from 2017 to 2025.
The report also examines three areas: polydrug use, risk factors, and cocaine-related treatment demand. The data are from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), the national surveillance system that records and reports on cases of drug and alcohol treatment in Ireland.
A key strategic priority of the draft National Drugs Strategy is to provide equitable access to high quality drug and alcohol services across health regions and population groups.