THERE has been 93% increase in the amount of people seeking treatment for drug addiction in county Kerry.

An Irish Examiner report yesterday revealed that the increase between 2009 and 2013 went from 122 to 236, for people who sought help for drug addiction in the county.

Cannabis users (127) accounted for the bulk of people seeking treatment. There was a sharp increase in the amount benzodiazepines users, going from less than 5 to 21.

Benzodiazepines are generally used to treat people who have anxiety issues or have trouble sleeping. The most abused Benzodiazepine is Xanax.

There was also a 59% in the use of opiates such as heroin, going from a number of 24 in 2009, to 59 in 2013.