In a recent report by the 2010/11 Drug Prevalence Survey, Cocaine has been found to be the most popular drug is demand in Ireland and Northern Ireland. While there was decline in addicts of the age from 15-to-24-year-old, a significant spike has been seen among 25-to-34-year-olds.

It's being believed that with the age profile shifting to over 25 now, there are aged people who are getting addicted to cocaine. Commissioned by the NACD and Northern Ireland's Public Health Information and Research Branch, the study has revealed that 10% Ireland have tried cocaine at some or the other stage of life. Nearly 3% from the age between 15 and 34 accepted that they used cocaine last year.

The report though made it clear that there were many who have tried drugs at younger age, over a period of time, the consumption went down. Despite of positive reports, Minister of State Roisin Shortall, who is responsible for the national drugs strategy, is of the say that there is still scope left for strategic measures to be taken so that drug prevention can be done at the best level. There is need to extend helping hand to those who are addicts as of now, so that they can be given life without any scar of drugs.

The report highlighted that there is significant demand of psychoactive substances with nearly 3.5% of the respondents saying that they have consumed them in the last 12 months.

"I want to stress that cannabis use involves serious physical and mental health risks, and it is important that we get this message out to users and potential users. Also, the potency of the cannabis now available is much higher than in the past", said Ms. Shortall, while she was speaking at the release of the study.