100% Increase in New Drug Users in West

The number of drug users seeking first time treatment for addiction the West of Ireland increased by 100% between 2001 and 2006, according to new figures released by the Health Research Board (HRB).

A total of 68,754 cases aged 15 - 64 years were treated for problem drug use in Ireland 2001 – 2006. Almost 1 in 5 was presenting for the first time and was under 18 years old. In general, the profile of a typical drug user was that of a young male, with a low level of education, who was likely to be unemployed and, in a minority of cases, had no stable home.

This latest report from the HRB shows that problem drug use is no longer confined to Dublin but is now a nationwide issue. In fact, while the number of new cases in the Dublin area decreased, other parts of the country experienced dramatic increases:

• 100% in West ( Galway, Mayo, Roscommon)
• 76% in the South Eastern area (Carlow, Kilkenny, Waterford, Wexford and Tipperary South)

• 57% in the Midland area (Offaly, Laois, Longford and Westmeath)
• 37% in the North Eastern area (Cavan, Louth, Meath and Monaghan)
• 33% in the Mid-Western area (Clare, Limerick and Tipperary North).

There was a slight decrease in Cork and Kerry.

The main problem drugs reported by new users were cannabis (41%); opiates (39%); and cocaine (9%), a considerable increase from 2001 figures.

The number of cases returning for treatment increased from 2,588 in 2001 to 2,781 in 2006. Figures indicate that at least half of treated drug users started using drugs when they were 15 years old.

Dr Jean Long, Head of the Alcohol and Drug Research Unit at the HRB called for a “better balance in the range of treatment interventions available in different parts of Ireland”.

HRB Trends Series 2: Trends in treated problem drug use in Ireland, 2001 to 2006 is available online in the publications section of the HRB website at www.hrb.ie.

Posted Monday 19th May 2008