‘Cocaine use is rampant’– Cllr George Lawlor

The use of cocaine seems to be rampant throughout County Wexford, especially within sporting organisations, the Mayor of Wexford, Cllr. George Lawlor told a JPC meeting.

The Labour councillor said he was contacted by a parent of a young person involved in a club and from her own investigation, she said that out of 25 young people, 20 of them were using cocaine.

‘It seems to have become the drug of choice’, said Cllr. Lawlor, asking if it would be beneficial to have an Garda Síochána interact with clubs, so that coaches and managers know the signs to look out for and also to get a positive message across.

‘I’ve spoken to people involved in clubs and they say it’s becoming almost an epidemic’’, he said.

Superintendent Jim Doyle said: ‘I don’t see it and I’m heavily involved in my own club. I do take the point that this is a serious issue. I’m not trying to downplay it.’

‘We are aware of the serious issue of drug abuse in the county’, said the Superintendent.

‘Cllr. Lawlor asked him how prevalent, in his view, is the use of cocaine in Wexford, adding that it seems to be rampant in clubs.

‘It may well be. If it is, we need to know about it’, said the Superintendent.

Cllr. Pat Barden said it would be good if people involved in clubs could be given information on the tell tale signs indicating that someone has taken drugs.

‘I think it should be highlighted a lot more among selectors and managers. If we were in a dressing room now, are there specific things that I could look out for’.

Superintendent Gerry McGrath said it was similar to the indicators that gardai look out for in drink driving - are the eyes dilated, is the person acting in an unusual manner etc.