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As Ireland records the highest number of drug treatment cases on record, a special RTÉ Prime Time report tonight asks how bad is the drug debt issue in Ireland, and can anything be done to stop it destroying lives?

Drug users are racking up tens of thousands in debts while some innocent families - who are victims of drug related intimidation - have had to flee the country. The prevalence of cocaine in every town and village is Ireland, is such that cows, tractors and farm land are being sold by farmers to pay off drug debts. 

Drug related intimidation occurs when a criminal or criminals allege that a sum of money is owed as a result of a drug debt. It usually involves family members of the person in debt being subjected to intimidation or the threat of intimidation.

The consequences of the current high rates of cocaine use can be terrifying as people face threats and violence from drug dealers seeking repayment.

People working in addiction services have told RTÉ Prime Time some farmers have sold livestock, farm land and machinery such as tractors to pay off drug debts.  It is not uncommon for a farmer to pay €50,000 to clear off a family member's drug debt and make a drug dealer go away.