That's according to a new research paper by Cork man James Leonard who was recently awarded a masters in Criminology from UCC.
James interviewed eight people who had been drug free for over a year and six practitioners working with those using drugs in the City.
The study, which was published in the International Journal of Drug Policy, found that problematic drug use is closely linked with economic deprivation and social exclusion.
Most people taking part in the study also agreed that criminalising drug users did not deter people from using them.
Speaking to RedFM News, James Leonard says the sample size may be small, but politicians and decision makers need to take note of the results:
