Mixing cocaine and alcohol increases by 24-fold the risk of a heart attack but most cocaine users are unaware of this, according to the findings of a survey released yesterday.
The survey found 57 per cent of cocaine users are either unaware or do not believe there is an increased danger in taking alcohol and cocaine.
The research, conducted among cocaine users aged 18-34 years, also found just 3 per cent of cocaine users were aware the drug could affect their mental health. Only 8 per cent identified heart problems as a potential side effect to cocaine use.
Furthermore the research found nearly two-thirds of cocaine users do not believe cocaine is a highly addictive drug.
The research was conducted last November and December by Millward Brown IMS among 120 cocaine users for the Health Service Executive in advance of its launch yesterday of a public awareness campaign on the dangers of cocaine use.
Advertisements will be placed on radio, newspapers, social networking websites, at bus stops and in washrooms on the dangers of the drug.
The messages on them are stark. One points to the fact that cocaine use destroys male sexual performance and can cause impotence. Another warns that cocaine users experience high rates of depression.
The advertisements will also give details of where current users can get help. Information is available by text message and in leaflets published in 12 different languages.
The survey of cocaine users also found their average spend on cocaine the last time they used it was €107.
And although 37 per cent of users acknowledged that violent crimes and murder are often committed as a result of cocaine use, just 11 per cent admitted they could feel violent when taking the drug.
Just 3 per cent reported that no-one knew about their cocaine use.
Meanwhile, some 64 per cent of those surveyed said they used cocaine on a weekday evening out with friends and 24 per cent said they used the drug on a weekday evening at home. While most used it in clubs, bars or in friends' houses, some 10 per cent said they used it before going to work in the morning and 8 per cent used it at work.
Pat Carey, Minister of State with responsibility for the national drugs strategy, said the campaign aimed to dispel the myths about cocaine use.
"It is critical in view of the serious lack of awareness of the dangers of cocaine that a message gets out there that it is a very dangerous drug. For example mixing cocaine and alcohol increases your chances of having a heart attack by a factor of 24," he said.
He believes prior to the deaths of a number of young people following cocaine use late last year, there was a complete denial of the dangers associated with cocaine but the country was now waking up to the deadly effects it can have on people who use it.
One in seven users becomes dependent on cocaine and one in 20 becomes addicted in the first year of use.
Asked if the State was a bit late starting with this awareness campaign, Mr Carey said Ireland was "probably ahead in some ways" because of its multilingual approach.