Some young people in one of Dublin’s most marginalised areas are spending up to 150 per cent of their weekly income on cannabis.
According to a new survey of young cannabis users in Ballymun, participants spent an average of €108 a week on cannabis, or €5,185 a year.
However, one cohort in the study, which was made up of young people not employed and not in a training programme, reported spending an average of €152 a week on the drug (€7,930 a year). The study states this cohort would typically receive €100 a week in jobseekers’ allowance.
“This suggests that participants may have other sources of income in order to sustain their use patterns,” the authors wrote.
Source: The Irish Times, Conor Gallagher, 16/05/17