Wastewater testing has found Dublin is among the top 20 cities in Europe for levels of cocaine.

Significant detections of ketamine and MDMA were also found in sewage samples from the Ringsend treatment plant when compared with 127 other cities.

The HSE's Professor Eamon Keenan said the capital was 19th out of 128 cities when it came to cocaine daily averages.

“I think that mirrors what we've been saying and what we've been identifying, that cocaine use has become a problem that we need to address urgently,” he said.

“We need resources to be able to provide treatment interventions.

“We need to have a greater awareness of the risks and harms associated with cocaine.”

Woman reflected in mirror snorting line of cocaine. Image: Jan Mika / Alamy Stock Photo

The testing of wastewater is part of efforts by the EU drugs agency to learn more about drug-use habits.

Prof Keenan said the study will help identify emerging trends.

“If we look at where we are, where we are in the overall European context, we are amongst the higher countries for the stimulant drugs, mid countries for cannabis use and lower levels for methamphetamine use,” he said.

Prof Keenan also said ketamine has become a significant problem.

“The interesting thing from this data is that ketamine use and MDMA use or ecstasy use are about similar,” he said.

“Traditionally, you would have thought that MDMA use would be much higher, but this has identified real problems with ketamine use as well.”

Lines of cocaine being divided. Image: Riccardo Ceccherini / Alamy Stock Photo