A significant increase in cocaine related deaths since 2013 is mostly driven by men in their late 30s, the National Health Information Systems has said. 

The NHIS has released new data in relation to drug deaths between 2013 and 2022, which reveals there has been a 260% increase in the number of people dying from cocaine. 

In 2013, there were 32 cocaine related deaths recorded; however, by 2022, that figure had increased to 115. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, NHIS spokesperson Dr Suzi Lyons said the death toll was a reflection of “what is happening in the wider population”. 

“Many other studies and the data show a significant increase in the number of people using cocaine in the general population,” she explained. 

“So, therefore, we can't be surprised to see its impact on poisoning deaths.

“And it is making an impact because in 2022, cocaine was the second most common drug implicated in poisoning deaths in Ireland.”

A person using cocaine. Picture by: Alamy.com.

Dr Lyons continued that the deaths are overwhelmingly male, most of whom are not especially young. 

“So what we do see is the majority of cocaine deaths are men, eight in 10,” she said. 

“That would very much align, I suppose, with the other data that we see. 

“But they are, on average, in their late 30s and this means that these are people who are dying prematurely in the prime of their life and would have left behind, for example, not only mothers and fathers, but also partners and children.”

Dr Lyons added that around Christmas “their loss will be even more keenly felt”. 

“Especially because many of these deaths would have been preventable,” she said. 

“I suppose what the data's telling us about cocaine-related deaths is that many cocaine deaths involved other substances - most commonly heroin and opioid methadone, which is a prescription medication for the treatment of opioid addiction

“And benzodiazepines - you might know them as Valium or Xanax.” 

Dr Lyons warned that people are especially at risk from ‘poly-drug use’, which “really increases a person's risk of fatal overdose”. 

Anyone who feels they have a problem with drugs or alcohol can call the HSE’s confidential helpline on 1800 459 459 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm. 

Main image: A mourner holds a rose next to a coffin. Picture by: Alamy.com.