Cocaine top drug for treatment in Galway

COCAINE was the main problem drug for more than 100 treatment cases in County Galway in 2025.

Figures from the Health Research Board show that 112 treatment cases in County Galway last year identified cocaine as the main problem drug, a rise from 90 cases in 2024 and a dramatic rise from the 20 cases in 2017.

September was National Recovery Month and Deputy Roche has said that prevention, education and early intervention should be at the core of the response to addiction treatment.

“International Recovery Day carries a powerful message – recovery is possible, people can rebuild their lives, and nobody experiencing addiction should ever believe that they are beyond help,” said Deputy Roche.

“Behind every treatment case is a person, a family and a community. These figures demonstrate why treatment, and recovery services must be adequately resourced, but they also reinforce the importance of prevention.

“Prevention is better than cure. We must equip young people with knowledge, resilience and clear information before harmful behaviours become established or difficulties reach crisis point.

Prevention

“Lighting the houses of the Oireachtas purple is a visible statement that recovery matters and that stigma must never prevent someone from asking for help.”

Deputy Roche also welcomed the reform of the SPHE curriculum for secondary school students in recent years.

The SPHE curriculum for students up to Junior Cert looks at factors that influence young people’s choices when it comes vaping, alcohol and other addictive substances, while students learn about mental health and wellbeing and how to seek help with substance use in the SPHE curriculum in senior cycle.

“The strengthened SPHE curriculum is a welcome and important development. The focus must now be on ensuring that it is implemented consistently across every post-primary school and that teachers have the training, time and resources required to deliver it effectively,” offered Deputy Roche.

“We must also evaluate whether this education is making a meaningful difference – whether young people understand the risks, recognise warning signs and know where to seek help for themselves or a friend.

“This should never be about frightening, blaming or judging young people. It should provide honest, age-appropriate and evidence-based information while promoting healthier ways of coping and encouraging early help-seeking.”