A Study of Cocaine Use in Northern Ireland 2009 Patrick McCrystal Queen’s University Belfast Paula Mayock Trinity College Dublin Sarah Hannaford Queen’s University Belfast This research was commissioned by Public Health Information and Research Branch, Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety The views expressed in this 1 report are those of the authors Acknowledgements The authors are indebted to a number of individuals and organisations without whom this research would not have been possible. However, we feel that due to the sensitive nature of the research and the information disclosed by cocaine users and those working within drug treatment agencies it would not be appropriate to include their names here. We must, however, acknowledge that without advice and input from these agencies in both the public and private sectors, this research would not have been possible. We are also indebted to all research participants who agreed to share their experiences of cocaine use. In addition to the authors important contributions were made to the transcription and analysis of the interviews. In particular Jennifer Cronly made an invaluable contribution to the coding and analysis of the interview data, Marie Louise Corr and Leeanne O’Hara provided support with the preparation of the data for analysis. We would also like to thank and Neil Dowling for assisting us with this study. Dr Andrew Percy, a lecturer in the School of Sociology, Social Policy and Social Work at Queens University Belfast, provided an informed comment on our work which we appreciate. Finally we must state that the views expressed in this report are those of the authors. 2 Table of Contents Acknowledgements ....................................................................................................................... 2 Table of Contents.......................................................................................................................... 3 Executive Summary...................................................................................................................... 5 Introduction to the Study............................................................................................................. 7 Background to the Study............................................................................................................. 7 Aim of the Study......................................................................................................................... 7 Chapter 1: Contemporary Issues and Cocaine Use................................................................... 8 Chapter 2: The Study Methodology.......................................................................................... 11 Research Strategy...................................................................................................................... 11 Community Assessment Process ...................................................................................... 11 In-depth Qualitative Interviews with Cocaine Users........................................................ 12 The Sampling and Selection of Research Participants ............................................................. 13 Sampling Criteria.............................................................................................................. 13 Recruitment and Sampling................................................................................................ 14 Data Analysis............................................................................................................................ 15 Ethical Approval, Consent and Confidentiality Procedures ..................................................... 15 Ethical Procedures ............................................................................................................ 15 Study Limitations...................................................................................................................... 16 Chapter 3: The Views of the Professionals............................................................................... 17 The Extent of Cocaine Use ....................................................................................................... 18 Current Drug Treatment Provision ........................................................................................... 20 Current Policy in Northern Ireland ........................................................................................... 22 Summary................................................................................................................................... 23 Chapter 4: A Profile of the Study’s Cocaine Users.................................................................. 24 Introduction............................................................................................................................... 24 The Study Participants .............................................................................................................. 24 Cocaine Use ...................................................................................................................... 24 Gender and Age ................................................................................................................ 24 Ethnicity............................................................................................................................ 24 Living Situations............................................................................................................... 25 Education and Employment.............................................................................................. 25 Tobacco and Alcohol ........................................................................................................ 25 Other Drug Use................................................................................................................. 25 The Frequency of Cocaine use.................................................................................................. 26 Monthly Cocaine Use ....................................................................................................... 26 More Frequent (at least weekly) Users ............................................................................. 26 Less Frequent Cocaine Users............................................................................................ 27 Recreational versus Treatment Users........................................................................................ 27 Summary................................................................................................................................... 28 Chapter 5: Recreational Cocaine Users.................................................................................... 29 Demographic Profile................................................................................................................. 29 Cocaine Initiation...................................................................................................................... 30 ‘Becoming’ a Cocaine User.............................................................................................. 31 3 Routes of Cocaine Administration............................................................................................ 32 Cocaine Use Contexts............................................................................................................... 33 Cocaine Use Spaces .......................................................................................................... 33 The Role of Alcohol.......................................................................................................... 35 Other Drug Use................................................................................................................. 36 Cocaine Use Patterns ................................................................................................................ 38 Current Users .................................................................................................................... 39 ‘Curbers’ ........................................................................................................................... 43 ‘Quitters’........................................................................................................................... 46 Perceived Benefits of Cocaine.................................................................................................. 48 Enhanced Sense of Self..................................................................................................... 49 Prolonging the Party ......................................................................................................... 50 A Controlled Drug Experience ......................................................................................... 52 A Discreet Drug ................................................................................................................ 54 Preservation of Self........................................................................................................... 54 Perceived ‘Downsides’ and Negative Effects of Cocaine Use ................................................. 55 Cocaine Users’ Perspectives: Control, Addiction and Risk...................................................... 59 Summary..................................................................................................................................