### Title: Dublin Faces Alarming Surge in Crack Cocaine Addiction

### Summary: Dublin is grappling with a severe crack cocaine crisis, as treatment requests have skyrocketed by 594% since 2017, especially among women. Experts emphasize the necessity for dedicated services to address the complex challenges faced by female users and call for community support to combat the escalating drug issue.

Dublin is currently experiencing a serious crisis regarding crack cocaine, with alarming data revealing a staggering 594% increase in treatment requests since 2017. Statistics from the Health Research Board (HRB) indicate that the number of individuals seeking help for crack cocaine addiction has risen from 173 cases in 2017 to 1,201 in 2023.

Daithi Doolan, a representative from the South Inner City Drug and Alcohol Partnership, highlighted the widespread impact of drug addiction on the community, stating, “Many homes in Dublin are suffering from some form of addiction. It's actually a crisis... it's happening at the school gate in the playground.” Doolan, also a Sinn Féin councillor, expressed concern that families and communities are becoming overwhelmed by drug-related intimidation, exacerbated by the influence of dealers.

Historical patterns in Dublin's drug-related struggles have transitioned from heroin to crack cocaine, which is attributed, in part, to a heroin shortage caused by geopolitical shifts affecting poppy production in Afghanistan. Data for 2023 shows that nearly 5,000 individuals sought treatment for cocaine in its various forms.

Counselors like Cheryl Kelly are advocating for specialized services tailored to women, who face unique stigmas and circumstances that complicate their addiction. The increase in female treatment cases reflects this need, with the HRB data showing an increase from 284 female cases in 2017 to 1,387 in 2023.

Kelly emphasized the importance of creating female-only spaces to make women feel safe from intimidation by male users, facilitating better engagement in recovery programs. “Women won't engage in services if they are fearful of encountering the men who intimidate them,” she pointed out.

In response to the increasing demand for tailored addiction services, Alan Kinsella from the Coolmine Therapeutic Community reported that their specialized cocaine program has maintained full attendance, underscoring the urgent need for resources to address the cocaine crisis.

Kinsella made note of the universal nature of cocaine addiction, stating, “There is no social border that defines cocaine addiction... We see individuals from all walks of life seeking help.”

The rise in crack cocaine use poses a significant challenge to Dublin’s communities, with numerous calls for comprehensive and accessible support systems to effectively tackle the rapid proliferation of drug addiction in the city.