'Kids using cocaine is increasing' ADDICTION.

MORE and more children are taking cocaine, a report said yesterday.

A study into drug use in Tallaght, Dublin, found growing numbers of children are experimenting with the highly addictive substance.

Heroin was said to be the main problem drug with 275 cases in 2006 compared to 43 for cocaine.

The Tallaght Local Drugs Task Force Strategic Plan 2008-2013 called for a mentoring system to be put into place to combat the problem and outlined a treatment plan.

The study said youths were growing up in "disadvantaged and disempowered homes in which drug use is normalised and they, in turn become high-risk for drug misuse."