A CAMPAIGN highlighting the dangers of using cocaine, particularly when combined with alcohol, will be launched in Cork today.
The Cork Local Drugs Task Force hopes the public awareness campaign will help cocaine users to kick the habit.
The campaign aims to deliver the messages that cocaine is not a clean drug, that it is directly linked to crime and that it has high personal and financial costs.
It will also highlight the high risk associated with poly-drug use, particularly alcohol and cocaine.
David Lane, co-ordinator of Drug and Alcohol Services, HSE South, said the campaign aimed to educate people about the negative effects of cocaine.
"A lot of people aren't aware of the dangers associated with the misuse of drugs on the individual, families and the wider community.
"Many people who think of themselves as 'recreational cocaine users' are unaware of the damage that cocaine use can cause, such as putting your physical and mental health at risk."
Mr Lane said cocaine use could cause chest pain, raised blood pressure, cardiac arrest (heart attack), respiratory (breathing) problems, strokes, seizures and kidney failure.
He said snorting cocaine damaged the membranes which line the nose, while injecting cocaine could cause abscesses and infections, such as hepatitis C and HIV, if equipment was shared.
Research conducted on behalf of the HSE has shown that public awareness about cocaine is low.
Nearly two-thirds of users (64 per cent) only agree slightly, don't know or disagree that cocaine is a highly-addictive drug, and two in five cocaine users (41 per cent) are not worried about the effect the drug might have on their health.
About one in seven cocaine users become addicted, and about one in 20 becomes addicted in the first year of use.
Crucially, 42 per cent of cocaine users do not think that taking alcohol with cocaine is any more dangerous than using cocaine on its own. Yet Mr Lane said these substances could combine in a person's system to produce a highly-toxic chemical.
He said cocaine overdoses were unpredictable, and using cocaine with other drugs, particularly alcohol, was even more risky.
"Cocaine and alcohol combine in the body to form another drug - cocaethylene - which is more toxic than either drug on its own. This can make users up to 24 times more likely to suffer a heart attack."
Posters and beer mats have been produced for the campaign, along with a freephone number - 1800 929 555 - which offers a wide range of advice and support to the public.
A website - www.drugs.ie - is also available where people can log on and avail of live-chat facilities with experts.
One of the posters being distributed to pubs in Cork features a brain in a food processor with the message: "Cocaine can really mess up your head."
Another shows a person's feet on a morgue slab with the slogan: "On cocaine, you can get into some very cool places."
The campaign is being launched at the Imperial Hotel in Cork this afternoon.
