Cocaine has become so widely used in rural Ireland that in some areas you could expect it to arrive quicker than if you ordered pizza. 

This week on The Pat Kenny Show, reporters are investigating the use, impact and future of cocaine in Ireland. 

Speaking to experts and those with first-hand experience, reporter Josh Crosbie began investigations in rural Ireland, where the white powder has seen an explosion in popularity. 

“Five years ago, you would have had to know the mate of a mate of a mate,” one man said. 

“Now it’s a one-space transaction - you know someone.” 

One man in Offaly said he would use cocaine “here and there”. 

“It wouldn’t be every weekend,” he said. “Maybe the bank holiday. 

“It’s a party drug.” 

Cocaine 'freely available'

Addiction counsellor and former Galway hurler Justin Campbell said the “supply and demand” for cocaine in rural Ireland has grown dramatically. 

“The fact that you can go into any village or town and get it in 10 of 15 minutes,” he said. 

“I had a client who once told me if he ordered cocaine and ordered a pizza, the cocaine would arrive before the pizza. 

“That's worrying and that's concerning – how freely available it is. 

“When you have a lot of young people who have access to the drug and it becomes trendy, then it sort of becomes acceptable and normalised.” 

Mr Campbell said men aged between 20 and 35 are the most common patients coming to him now. 

“If you were to put somebody on a conveyor belt to choose drugs, they seem to move up the conveyor belts very, very quickly,” he said. 

'I don't want your patronage'

Local publican Joe Sheridan in Galway has recently joined a “Sneachta-free” campaign to prevent drug use in rural Ireland. 

“I don't want your patronage if you partake in cocaine or illicit drugs,” he said. 

This campaign includes a sign that says “This is a sneachta-free zone, you may be required to test. We operate at zero-tolerance. If in doubt, stay out”. 

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