There has been a significant decrease in cocaine abuse by middle-class recreational users as a result of the economic downturn, according to senior gardaí.

While cocaine is still readily available in every part of the country, a sizeable proportion of occasional users are no longing dabbling in the highly addictive drug.

As a result, the same volume of cocaine is no longer being imported into the country compared as this time last year. "There has been a contraction in the market. A lot of people using it recreationally rather than to feed a habit have had to make choices in the economic downturn," according to a source.

"Many people can no longer justify paying €100 for bag of cocaine every weekend. This is bad news for drug dealers but good news for us and society as a whole."

Eighteen months ago, the availability of cocaine was at an all-time high and drug enforcement officers ex­press­ed grave concern that cocaine was becoming "socially acceptable" and was regarded by many as "safe" drug.