Almost 30,000 arrests were made for the offence last year.
A significant increase in the number of people arrested for drug offences is being described as 'unsurprising.'
Almost 30,000 arrests were made last year, compared to just over 19,300 in 2004.
Over 1,500 of those came in the Laois Offaly Garda Division, while officers in the Meath Westmeath Division made more than 1,100 arrests.
Already this year, Gardaí have made 14,203 arrests for drug-related crimes according to figures obtained by Aontú Leader and Meath West TD, Peadar Tóibín.
Jim Henson, of the Athlone Drug Awareness Group, says it's costing us a generation of young people:
Enterprise Minister Says Midlands Still Offering Strong Company Growth
Agreement Reached On Westmeath Hospice Care Beds
Westmeath Town Awarded For Night Time Economy
Report Expresses "Deep Reservations" Over Death Of Cloverhill Prisoner
Appeal Lodged Against 20 Homes In Westmeath
Laois Floods Cause Serious Safety Concern
HSE In Talks With Offaly Concrete Company Over Midlands Hospice Appeal
The F1 Journey Can Cost North Of €30m - Alex Dunne
Offaly TD Demands Stronger Enforcement Against Sulky Racing
Westmeath Space Innovation Centre Is Exciting - Enterprise Minister
Laois And Westmeath Primary Students Awarded For Filmmaking Skills
Housing Minister Opens Over 200 Homes In Laois
RSA Urges People To Cut Back Hedgerows
Republic Of Ireland To Face Israel In Nations League
Ireland’s First European Space Agency Launches in Westmeath
High Court To Hear Fair Trial Challenge In Alleged Mosque Plot Case
Westmeath Research Firm Launch SME Digital Transformation Programme
Midlands Braced For Freezing Conditions As Temperatures Set To Drop
Man In His 20s To Appear In Court Over Alleged Crime Gang Activity
Ryanair Chief Warns US Could Block Aer Lingus Flights Over Airport Cap