Crack cocaine in the Dublin region - Health Research Board

often with a prevalence of opiate drug use and high levels of long-term unemployment(Furey and Browne 2004; Reynolds et al. 2008; Dillon 2001; Hannon et al. 2000;O’Mahony 1997; Keogh 1997).As discussed in the previous chapter, the available evidence from this study’sfindings suggests that the typical crack user is opiate or methadone dependent with aproblematic history of drug misuse, and is likely to share many of the characteristicsoutlined above.6.6 Key findings• Shoplifting, burglary and robbery were reported as common means for users tosustain their crack cocaine habit.• Service providers reported that increasing numbers of women, including somewho had sustained a heroin habit without resorting to sex work as a source ofincome, were returning to or becoming involved in sex work in order to fundtheir crack use. One service had experience with women involved in sex workwho were based in apartments; the majority of these women’s earnings werepaid in crack rather than cash. There were no reports of new street-based sexmarkets developing.• Eleven participants, including both treatment staff and users, referred to a risein the number of aggressive and violent incidents in their localities involvingassaults related to drug debt, gangland violence and fatal shootings. However,it is not clear whether such incidents are related to crack cocaine or to othersubstances such as powder cocaine or heroin.• The extent of involvement of young people in crack dealing is unknown. Of thestudy participants, crack users claimed that there were numerous young peopleinvolved in using and selling crack, whereas service providers said that they hadno evidence of young people selling crack.Crack cocaine in the Dublin region: an evidence base for a crack cocaine strategy77