Meet the team fighting addiction in Wicklow as cocaine usage on rise

By Darragh McCann, The Wicklow People

It’s no longer a drug for Dublin’s elite. From the bustling streets of the capital to the quiet corners of rural Ireland, cocaine has become a scourge, leaving a trail of addiction, crime, and despair in its wake. In County Wicklow, a community service is on the frontline of fighting addiction and facing a raft of new challenges.

Established in 2002, BCAT (Bray Community Addiction Team) works to support individuals, families, and the wider community affected by substance abuse. They offer one-on-one counseling, a drop-in service, and specialised outreach teams, including one focused specifically on crack cocaine.

Elaine Forsyth, BCAT's manager, has spent 23 years tackling addiction in the community. She and her team have seen a dramatic rise in cases, particularly those linked to cocaine.

"It unfortunately increases year on year," Elaine says, noting that in 2024, 15pc of their clients presented with cocaine as their primary issue, a number that has risen by another 6pc in 2025.

The once-exclusive drug is now commonly reported in local courtrooms and a major driver of large-scale garda operations in Wicklow. In Bray District Court, cocaine has become an almost daily mention, cropping up in cases from simple possession to dangerous driving and violent assaults. Judge Andrew Cody described it in 2022 as “the scourge of the country,” adding that “those who peddle it are creating addiction and misery in every community".

The scale of the problem is clear from recent garda activity. Last year saw several major drug busts in the county, including a joint Dublin-Wicklow operation that seized €3.1 million worth of cocaine. Just a few months later, another raid in Kilmacanogue and Delgany netted €472,000 worth of cocaine and heroin.

The Probation Service team in Wicklow are seeing increasing numbers of clients referred for pre-sentence reports or court ordered supervision are self-reporting difficulties with cocaine abuse.

Jan Alvey, a 25-year veteran of Wicklow’s Probation Service, said clients of the service believe that cocaine abuse has led to a consistent pattern of specific offending.

“Some of what we see is theft while under the influence of cocaine, or to fund the habit, offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act, assault - this would be clients assaulting others whilst under the influence of cocaine - and road traffic offences, such as taking risks in their driving whilst under the influence of cocaine,” said Jan.

BCAT work alongside the Prison Service, with two prison link workers exclusively working with people heading to prison, during their sentence and after release. If the person can remain sober, they then can attend BCATs integration services upon release from prison.

BCAT also works with An Garda Síochána on the DRIVE program (Drug-Related Intimidation and Violence Engagement), a Department of Health-funded initiative that offers confidential support to victims and their families. This program aims to create a safer community by reducing the harm caused by drug-related violence.

While an initiative to send defendants to BCAT for a six-week education course failed to gain traction in the courts—a "huge disappointment" for Elaine—the team continues its vital work. From handing out food and safe drug paraphernalia to raising awareness in the community, BCAT remains a beacon of hope, fighting to help those caught in the unforgiving grip of addiction.

“Harm reduction is our approach,” said Elaine, while discussing BCATs approach to the issues they handle daily.

It is a public health approach that focuses on minimising consequences of risky behaviours, without necessarily requiring people to stop those behaviours altogether.

The core principles of harm reduction are extremely practical and not judgemental, it focuses on treating people with compassion and not stigma, while homing in on giving people tools and information to make safer decisions.

For those trying to help, the stigma of addiction, especially in a small town like Bray, can be a major barrier to seeking help.

"It's hard to get them in the door," says a member of BCAT's crack cocaine outreach team. This is particularly true for women, they said, who face additional hurdles like childcare issues and a fear of involvement with Tusla.

In attempts to bypass stigma and ensure people do get the help they need, BCAT prides itself on its discreet, "word of mouth" approach to treatment, ensuring that people can get help without a long wait.

"A youth worker could call me, and I can see them straight away," says a member of the youth team, with Elaine adding that a client can usually get in the door "a week at most".

While Dublin has eight locations offering residential or inpatient treatment, Wicklow isn’t so lucky with only one available inpatient facility which is Tiglin.

Tiglin’s mission is to provide individuals with effective and comprehensive solutions to life-controlling problems such as addiction, homelessness, and social exclusion, with a key centre in Greystones.

The rise of crack cocaine in particular is believed to have also led to an increase in the female sex trade. As Deputy Seán Crowe noted in a 2021 Dáil debate, a significant number of women are being forced into sex work to pay off drug debts or simply to fund their addiction. As one BCAT team member put it, "women are at risk and extremely vulnerable".

Three members of the crack cocaine outreach team, Sinéad O’Neill, Anna Moran and Saoirse Gallagher have completed a local research project to look at the growing issue of crack cocaine use within the local community.

“We wanted to understand what the community needed and to help bridge the gap,” said Saoirse.

To do this they carried out two surveys, one for residents and another for people who are using drugs and those already accessing services. The project will also share advice on the risks of drug use, warning signs and where to get help.

An online presentation will take place Friday, September 12 from 12pn to 1:30pm. It’s open for everyone to attend with free tickets available on Eventbrite.

“We will talk about what signs to watch out for and the risks of crack-cocaine abuse,” Saoirse added. “We will help show you where to turn if a loved one or someone you know has been affected by crack cocaine.”

BCAT will also be marking Recovery Month in September with a series of events aimed at raising awareness around addiction, reducing stigma, and celebrating recovery.

Events in Bray will include art workshops, coffee mornings, open-mic sessions, and a crack-cocaine workshop, as well as participation in the National Recovery Walk from the Garden of Remembrance to Merrion Square in Dublin.

The programme will close with a memorial ceremony to remember people who have passed away, alongside live music, guest speakers, and testimonials from families and those in recovery.

Cocaine may be on the rise in Wicklow, but so too is recovery and for many BCAT is where that journey begins.