Latest news with #HealthResearchBoard
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Health
- BreakingNews.ie
Availability of cocaine leading to more hospitalisations
The Health Research Board has said the availability of cocaine has led to an increase in hospitalisations and overdoses. There are warnings of the potential for further increases in use and harm after new research showed the number of cocaine seizures grew from 566 in 2003 to more than 4,000 in 2023. Advertisement The Health Research Board lists a range of indicators that point to a worsening problem. Speaking to Newstalk, Cormac O'Keeffe from the Irish Examiner said prices of cocaine have remained the same. "Prices have not gone up and that is also in the context that seizures have gone up. So seizures have gone up, but it's more available, at a higher purity," he said. "It just shows the scale of the problem and the sheer amount of cocaine that's coming across the Atlantic." Addiction Specialist Dr Garrett McGovern outlined the consequences of drug use. "It was great that they actually did the statistics for hospital admissions and stuff like that because what we know from a lot of drugs we treat, including alcohol, they're far more likely to end up with a complication of their drug or alcohol use in a hospital than they are coming to us to treat their addiction. That's the sad part of it," he said.
The Journal
02-07-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Taoiseach says there ‘could be link' between falling alcohol consumption and increased cocaine use
TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN has said there 'could very well be a link' between declining alcohol consumption and increased cocaine use in Ireland. He added that such a connection 'would be very worrying'. Martin was speaking to reporters in Japan ahead of the opening of a new Irish Embassy in Tokyo. Yesterday, two men were arrested after they were allegedly caught bringing a huge quantity of cocaine ashore in west Cork. The incident happened off Broad Strand, Courtmacsherry and an estimated €30m worth of suspected cocaine was seized following a two-day drugs interdiction operation. Martin was asked about this seizure, in addition to figures showing that Ireland is one of the biggest cocaine users in Europe. Cocaine was the main drug in almost 40% of cases of treatment for problem drug use last year – a 7% increase on 2023's figures – according to a report by the Health Research Board. Ireland also has one of the highest prevalence rates of cocaine use in Europe, with 8.3% of adults reporting that they had tried cocaine in a 2019 survey. But while cocaine use is rising, alcohol consumption has been trending downwards for 25 years. A report commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland showed that average alcohol consumption per adult fell by 4.5% last year to 9.49 litres of pure alcohol. This is a drop of more than one third (34.3%) since 2001. When asked if there is a link between falling alcohol consumption and increasing drug use, Martin said 'there could very well be a link between the two and that would be very worrying'. He added that there needs to be 'more scientific analysis' of the issue. Martin was also asked if cocaine use is becoming an 'epidemic' in Ireland, and replied: 'I believe it is.' He added: 'From what I hear anecdotally, the use and prevalence of cocaine use has grown significantly and that is very worrying in terms of the health of the nation, for younger people in particular. 'It's very bad for one's health, apart from behavioural traits that can grow from it.' And while Martin welcomed the 'significant' decrease in alcohol consumption over the past 25 years, he noted that there 'clearly is an increase in drug use'. 'Drugs kill people and we have to look at that from a Drug Harm Reduction Strategy and work with the Ministers for Health and Justice and others to try and really focus in on this issue.' Meanwhile, Martin said that the cocaine seized in Courtmacsherry was headed for Britain and remarked: 'It's not just Ireland, it's everywhere.' He also noted that yesterday's cocaine seizure in Courtmacsherry is 'not the first time this location has seen a huge consignment'. In 2023, the largest seizure in the history of the State saw 2.2 tonnes of cocaine worth an estimated €157 million seized from the MV Matthew in Cork. Martin also praised the co-operation of gardaí, the Naval Forces and the Defence Forces in this week's Courtmacsherry seizure. 'What's wonderful is the integration and coordination of all the agencies, working with European agencies as well,' said Martin. 'Multidisciplinary teams are the best in any field of life – breakdown the silos and if you work together, you can really catch traffickers and this has been a highly effective operation.' Advertisement Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
RTÉ News
30-06-2025
- Health
- RTÉ News
169 young people sought treatment for HHC drug in last 18 months
Since the beginning of last year, 169 young people have sought treatment for problems with Hexahydrocannabinol (HHC), a drug contained in some vapes and edibles, figures from the Health Research Board show. The substance is available for sale in vape shops across the country. The College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has reiterated its call for the drug to be banned because of problems with addiction and serious mental health issues. John, 18, who does not want to be identified, became addicted to and had serious mental health effects from vapes containing HHC. The man-made drug produces similar effects to a natural ingredient in cannabis, known as THC, which causes the drugs "high". John said: "I heard voices screaming in my head, it was absolutely terrifying. I thought it would never go away. "I had really bad psychosis, I had three or four schizophrenic episodes from it, I was really lazy, the vape was always in my hand and it was so easy to get because the shop would just give it to us." Joe, who also does not want to be identified, said his life has never been the same, after he began inhaling HHC from a vape that he bought in a local shop. "I was smoking weed a lot, and when I seen this HHC, it was just an easy access, you know. "It was just in the shops, obviously you could bring it places and take it whenever you want, but as I was using it for a few weeks, it just kind of turns your world upside down. "Psychosis, overthinking, just insane thinking, you're just not the same person. You're like a zombie, your face is droopy, your eyes are a few centimetres lower than they should be, you just look ... you look bad." Figures from the Health Research Board show that 169, mostly young people, sought treatment for problems with HHC over the past year and a half. Head of Clinical Services at Aiséirí Addiction Treatment Centre in Kilkenny Sara Cassidy said there has been a sharp rise in the number of people attending the service who are addicted to the drug. "They have had horrendous psychosis experiences, symptoms that are similar to schizophrenia and the biggest concern is that for some of these young people, with their developing brains, is that the symptoms don't necessary dissipate once the chemical is stopped and it's quite treatment resistant," she said. Consultant Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist Professor Bobby Smyth has been calling on the Government to ban HHC for the last year. He said: "We began seeing some of the young people attending the service reporting the use of HHC in a problematic way about two years ago. "Three years ago, it did not exist as a concern." "I suppose we are a bit confused about why its taken so long to ban it," Prof Smyth said. "I believe it will be banned," he added. He said that perhaps the "biggest question is how as this allowed to happen in the first place, what can we learn from this because the entrepreneurs, who have been making money selling HHC to the youth of Ireland over the last few years, will just find another drug if we are going to continue to permit them to do so". The Department of Health said HHC contained in some vapes and in edibles like gummies will shortly be added to the misuse of drugs regulations. This means it will be illegal to sell or supply it. However, for people like Joe and John, this cannot come soon enough. Joe says he is feeling better now but still suffers some of the effects daily. Joe said: "I am feeling good now, but I am feeling lucky as well, like there is people here who just aren't the same as me who aren't as lucky. "Also, I got off them before I came in here, that probably saved me. I would say if I kept smoking them for a few weeks longer my brain would be a lot more deteriorated. John said he wants to see them taken out of shops so no other person has to go through what he did. "It will change your life and not for the better, because the first time you pick it up it's all fun and games, but the more you pick it up, the more you smoke it, you start to see what I saw and feel what I felt and some people might not get it as easy as me and some people might not get out of the hole I was in as easy."
Irish Times
23-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Ireland is becoming a country of moderate drinkers and voracious cocaine users
A major generational shift has occurred in Irish society without much fanfare. Alcohol consumption in Ireland has collapsed. A report commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland published this month showed the average alcohol consumption per adult in Ireland fell 4.5 per cent in 2024 compared with 2023. The story over the course of two decades is much more profound. Since 2001, alcohol consumption per adult in Ireland fell by 34.3 per cent. Today, people in Ireland are drinking at average European levels (a good argument for reducing excise taxes). The Health Research Board 's 2024 report on alcohol showed Ireland is no longer a high alcohol consumption country by European Union or OECD standards. This is a remarkable shift, great news for public health and will have a positive knock-on effect for decades to come. The reasons suggested for this can come off as anecdotal or vague, but like any behavioural shift, there tend to be multiple factors at once. What we do know is that this is a trend led by younger generations, who are less likely to reach for the bottle compared with their older siblings and parents. The data consistently show this. A report by Red C in April – part of broader polling across 39 countries – showed that 21 per cent of 18- to 24-year olds drink often, compared with 31 per cent of all adults, and 48 per cent of older men. READ MORE Under-25s are more health conscious and therefore more mindful of the damage alcohol and hangovers cause to the body and mind. Alcohol is also as expensive as it has ever been in Ireland. Student life has changed due to the housing and rental crisis, with fewer students living independently as Ireland has regressed to a context more like to the early 20th century, with people living with their parents well into adulthood. Those in their teens and 20s are also more attuned to their mental and emotional wellbeing, and less likely than Generation X adults to hit the bottle to dissociate under the guise of 'relaxing' or reducing stress. There is less peer pressure among younger people to drink compared with the social culture older generations fostered within their peer groups, and less judgment around sobriety. The trend of alcohol-free months can also reduce people's consumption in the short and medium term, and sometimes embed lifelong moderation. Ultimately, younger people are more grown up and responsible when it comes to alcohol. For all the progress made around alcohol, there is a major youth public-health issue regarding cocaine use. This is not being addressed in anything approaching something effective All of this speaks to a sense of maturity, confidence and capacity to be grounded enough and able to exert at least some kind of self-control that was absent among older generations. What has also been happening is that more people are using therapy and other resources to address their mental health needs. According to the most recent St Patrick's Mental Health Stigma and Attitudes Survey, in 2024, 66 per cent of people who were experiencing mental health difficulties sought treatment, an increase of 10 per cent from 2023. A movement from self-medicating to self-care is a sign of collective emotional growth. It demonstrates a capacity for self-reflection and self-examination, as well as a reduction in stigma around seeking help for mental health challenges. But there is something else happening alongside the decline in alcohol consumption, and that's the rise in cocaine use. A 2023 United Nations report showed that Ireland is, remarkably, the joint-fourth highest consumer of cocaine globally. [ Cocaine cited as main drug in almost two-fifths of cases needing treatment Opens in new window ] Demographically, this is a younger person's issue. Among 15 to 34-year-olds, Ireland has the distinction of being home to the biggest consumers of cocaine in Europe. In 2024, the median age for those seeking treatment for powder cocaine use was 32 years old. Thirty-nine per cent were in employment, compared with 7 per cent of crack cocaine users in treatment. Heroin and opioid users in treatment skew older, with an average age of 45, in tune with the 'greying' of heroin and opioid users in Ireland, which has been the case for some time. In 2024, there were more people treated for problem drug use in Ireland than ever before, according to the Health Research Board . Cocaine was the most common drug used by those in treatment, up 7 per cent from 2023. Since 2017, there has been a 426 per cent increase in women receiving cocaine treatment. Figures for 2023 for people contacting the Health Service Executive 's drug and alcohol helpline also showed a record increase. Twenty-one per cent of calls were related to cocaine. In 2009, cocaine was mentioned by 2 per cent of callers. This is a huge jump. For all the progress made around alcohol, there is a major youth public-health issue regarding cocaine use. This is not being addressed in anything approaching an effective way. It demands and requires a non-judgmental public-health response, and education and awareness, all of which appears to be lacking relative to the level of consumption in Ireland. We are in a situation where there are signs that one public-health issue – excessive alcohol consumption – is being at least partly replaced by another. If we have the stats, where's the action?
Irish Times
21-06-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
We're drinking less and generally more health conscious. So why is cocaine use increasing?
A major generational shift has occurred in Irish society without much fanfare. Alcohol consumption in Ireland has collapsed. A report commissioned by the Drinks Industry Group of Ireland published this month showed the average alcohol consumption per adult in Ireland fell 4.5 per cent in 2024 compared with 2023. The story over the course of two decades is much more profound. Since 2001, alcohol consumption per adult in Ireland fell by 34.3 per cent. Today, people in Ireland are drinking at average European levels (a good argument for reducing excise taxes). The Health Research Board 's 2024 report on alcohol showed Ireland is no longer a high alcohol consumption country by European Union or OECD standards. This is a remarkable shift, great news for public health, and will have a positive knock-on effect for decades to come. The reasons suggested for this can come off as anecdotal or vague, but like any behavioural shift, there tends to be multiple factors at once. What we do know is that this is a trend led by younger generations, who are less likely to reach for the bottle compared with their older siblings and parents. The data consistently show this. A report by Red C in April – part of broader polling across 39 countries – showed that 21 per cent of 18- to 24-year olds drink often, compared with 31 per cent of all adults, and 48 per cent of older men. READ MORE Younger people are more health conscious and therefore more mindful of the damage alcohol and hangovers cause to the body and mind. Alcohol is also as expensive as it has ever been in Ireland. Student life has changed due to the housing and rental crisis, with fewer younger people living independently as Ireland has regressed to a context more akin to the early 20th century, with people living with their parents well into adulthood. Younger people are also more attuned to their mental and emotional wellbeing, and less likely than Generation X adults to hit the bottle to dissociate under the guise of 'relaxing' or reducing stress. There is less peer pressure among younger people to drink compared with the social culture older generations fostered within their peer groups, and less judgment around sobriety. The trend of alcohol-free months can also reduce people's consumption in the short and medium term, and sometimes embed lifelong moderation. Ultimately, younger people are more grown up and responsible when it comes to alcohol. For all the progress made around alcohol, there is a major youth public-health issue regarding cocaine use. This is not being addressed in anything approaching something effective All of this speaks to a sense of maturity, confidence and capacity to be grounded enough and able to exert at least some kind of self-control that was absent among older generations. What has been happening concurrently is that more people are using therapy and other resources to address their mental health needs. According to the most recent St Patrick's Mental Health Stigma and Attitudes Survey, in 2024, 66 per cent of people who were experiencing mental health difficulties sought treatment, an increase of 10 per cent from 2023. A movement from self-medicating to self-care is a sign of collective emotional growth. It demonstrates a capacity for self-reflection and self-examination, as well as a reduction in stigma around seeking help for mental health challenges. But there is something else happening alongside the decline in alcohol consumption, and that's the rise in cocaine use. A 2023 United Nations report showed that Ireland is, remarkably, the joint-fourth highest consumer of cocaine globally. [ Cocaine cited as main drug in almost two-fifths of cases needing treatment Opens in new window ] Demographically, this is a younger person's issue. Among 15 to 34-year-olds, Ireland has the distinction of being home to the biggest consumers of cocaine in Europe. In 2024, the median age for those seeking treatment for powder cocaine use was 32 years old. Thirty-nine per cent were in employment, compared with 7 per cent of crack cocaine users in treatment. Heroin and opioid users in treatment skew older, with an average age of 45, in tune with the 'greying' of heroin and opioid users in Ireland, which has been the case for some time. In 2024, there were more people treated for problem drug use in Ireland than ever before, according to the Health Research Board . Cocaine was the most common drug used by those in treatment, up 7 per cent from 2023. Since 2017, there has been a 426 per cent increase in women receiving cocaine treatment. Figures for 2023 for people contacting the Health Service Executive 's drug and alcohol helpline also showed record numbers. Twenty-one per cent of calls were related to cocaine. In 2009, cocaine was mentioned by 2 per cent of callers. This is a huge jump. For all the progress made around alcohol, there is a major youth public-health issue regarding cocaine use. This is not being addressed in anything approaching something effective. It demands and requires a non-judgmental public-health response, and education and awareness, all of which appears to be lacking relative to the level of consumption in Ireland. We are in a situation where there are signs that one public-health issue – excessive alcohol consumption – is being at least partly replaced by another. If we have the stats, where's the action?
