Crack cocaine in the Dublin region - Health Research Board

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extensive reporting in the US about the extremely addictive nature of crack. Thesereports typically claimed that crack was instantly addictive. However, such assertionsare not supported adequately by scientific evidence. The effects of crack use, likethose of most drugs, are influenced by the characteristics of users and their socialcircumstances (Drugscope 2005; Morgan and Zimmer 1997).1.3 Research aims and objectivesThe aim of the research was to establish an evidence base for crack cocaine use in theDublin region. 5 The research objectives were to:• Establish the nature and extent of crack cocaine use and its availability in theDublin region.• Identify the impact of crack cocaine on the user, the family and the widercommunity.• Document current responses, if any, to crack cocaine use, and the outcomes ofthose responses where available.• Develop a practical working document for discussion and communicationtargeted at local decision makers and stakeholders and upon which an evidencebasedcrack cocaine strategy can be developed.1.4 Methods and data sourcesThe research was conducted over a nine-month period, using a rapid situationassessment technique recommended by the World Health Organization (World HealthOrganization 2002). The aim of rapid situation assessments is to gather informationfrom multiple data sources within a defined timeframe, using a number of datacollectiontechniques (UNDCP 1999). This technique has gained popularity in thesubstance abuse field since the 1990s as a means of identifying and analysing drugrelatedproblems in a specific area rapidly (Fitch and Stimson 2003). A rapid situationassessment is particularly suitable in this instance, as the extent of crack cocaine usein the Dublin region requires immediate assessment so that measures can be put inplace to avoid an escalation of the problem. This study drew on a number of sourcesof existing information that are usually available in varying forms, including officialstatistical data and research reports. The study also involved original research, such askey informant interviews, focus groups and analysis of drug-treatment data.Key informant interviews and focus groups5 The research focused on the Dublin region, as both Garda reports of seizures and anecdotal evidencefrom community groups suggested that crack use had not expanded beyond Dublin to any significantextent.Crack cocaine in the Dublin region: an evidence base for a crack cocaine strategy25
Primary research included 36 semi-structured interviews and 5 focus groups with keyinformants which were conducted from August 2007 to February 2008. It consisted of:• 10 in-depth interviews with former or current crack users;• 26 in-depth interviews and 2 focus groups with respondents working in drugtreatmentand outreach services;• 3 focus groups with respondents from the Garda National Drug Unit (GNDU), aDublin city homeless service and drug users’ forum.In addition to these interviews and focus groups, data was also used from a focusgroup with the GNDU, which was conducted following a crack cocaine specificoperation (Operation Plaza) in May 2006.To ensure a thorough investigation of the Dublin region, interviews were conducted in11 of the 12 local drugs task force (LDTF) areas in the region 6 (Table 1.1). The only taskforce area in Dublin not included in the interviews was Dun Laoghaire Rathdown. 7Table 1.1 Number of interviews with service providers in local drugs task force areas, 2007Local drugs task force areasNumber of interviews/focus groupsNorth-inner city 10Canal Communities and South Inner City 5Dublin North East 5Tallaght 3Blanchardstown 2Ballyfermot 2Clondalkin 1Crumlin 1Finglas 1Ballymun 1Total 316 The Dublin region comprises the administrative areas of Dublin City Council, Fingal County Council, DunLaoghaire-Rathdown County Council and South Dublin County Council.7 A number of services in the Dun Laoghaire and Rathdown LDTF reported having no experience withcrack at the time fieldwork was being conducted. However, since fieldwork was completed, one drugtreatmentservice has confirmed the use of crack in this location.26 Crack cocaine in the Dublin region: an evidence base for a crack cocaine strategy
Page 1 and 2: HRB Research Series6Crack cocaine i
Page 3 and 4: This publication should be cited as
Page 5 and 6: HRB Research Series publicationsto
Page 8 and 9: ContentsList of tables and figures
Page 10 and 11: 7 Social consequences of crack use
Page 12 and 13: List of tables and figuresTablesTab
Page 14 and 15: AbbreviationsADRUGNDUHRBISCCSGLDTFN
Page 16 and 17: Glossary of termsBenzos: The street
Page 18 and 19: Executive summaryBackground and stu
Page 20 and 21: phone and buyers are directed to sp
Page 22 and 23: Part 1IntroductionCrack cocaine in
Page 24 and 25: In the light of these concerns, it
Page 28 and 29: Ten interviews were conducted with
Page 30 and 31: also offers potential to trace supp
Page 32 and 33: Part 2Crack cocaine in the Dublin r
Page 34 and 35: 2.2 Criminal justice data - cocaine
Page 36 and 37: Prevalence of crack use among homel
Page 38 and 39: Local survey dataA survey in 2006 o
Page 40 and 41: Respondent 1: I’d say it’s stil
Page 42 and 43: 3 Dublin crack cocaine market3.0 Ov
Page 44 and 45: sold on the street for as little as
Page 46 and 47: Like, I was down on M… Street in
Page 48 and 49: 3.4 Marketing crackFour interviewee
Page 50 and 51: While crack was generally bought al
Page 52 and 53: • Although a number of dealers, o
Page 54 and 55: 4.2 Crack use and genderAccording t
Page 56 and 57: From about 16 to 21 I would say - t
Page 58 and 59: Table 4.4Number of new cases who li
Page 60 and 61: 5.2 Crack and other drugsMany of th
Page 62 and 63: Whether treated cases reported crac
Page 64 and 65: cases of intravenous cocaine use, t
Page 66 and 67: Table 5.5Number (%) of new cases wh
Page 68 and 69: Part 3Consequences of crack useCrac
Page 70 and 71: etween heroin, cocaine and crime. T
Page 72 and 73: So, they would talk about the kind
Page 74 and 75: Crack and prostitutionNine services
Page 76 and 77:
On the other hand, reports from two
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often with a prevalence of opiate d
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The data provided by the NDTRS in S
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But you know it would be about kind
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So, debt is another significant iss
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7.6 Key findings• A significant p
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There are considerable long-term ps
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8.3 Psychological consequences of c
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9 Treating crack use9.0 OverviewIn
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Some services were in a position to
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Both opiate-dependent and non-opiat
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• more outreach work to identify
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10 Policing crack markets10.0 Overv
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local communities. There is growing
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He’d know me, I’d know him, you
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Table 10.1 Number of new cases who
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108 Crack cocaine in the Dublin reg
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11 Discussion and research implicat
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11.2 Responding to crack markets an
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11.3 Reducing the harm that crack c
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Shoplifting, burglary and robbery w
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Bourgois P (2003b) Crack and the po
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Furey M and Browne C (2004) Opiate
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Loughran H and McCann ME (2006) A c
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San Diego Police Department (1998)
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Appendix A:An evidence base for tre
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note that providing information on
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MedicationsA number of studies have
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interpersonal psychotherapy. Americ
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Jurisdiction Intervention/Descripti
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Jurisdiction Intervention/Descripti
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Appendix C:Recent HRB series public
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140 Crack cocaine in the Dublin reg
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