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Irish Daily Mirror
28-05-2025
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cocaine the problem drug in almost two fifths of Irish cases needing treatment
Cocaine was the main drug in almost 40 per cent of cases of treatment for problem drug use, according to a report. There was a record figure of 13,295 cases treated for problem drug use in 2024. The data published on Wednesday in the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) by the Health Research Board (HRB) shows an upward trend in treatment cases, up 50 per cent since the National Drugs Strategy began in 2017. The data shows that the demand for drug treatment is across all regions of the country, all age groups, men and women, people with and without children, and those who are unemployed as well those with jobs. There was an increase of 7.4 per cent in the number of cases where cocaine was the main drug, now accounting for 39.8 per cent of all cases. There was also an increase of 21 per cent in the number of cases where benzodiazepines were the main drug, up to 13.4 per cent of all cases. There was an increase of 4.1 per cent in polydrug use, up to 60 per cent of all cases. There was also a decrease in the number of cases where opioids were the main drug, down to 25 per cent of all cases. The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, said "This report provides clear evidence of the importance of a health-led approach to drug use. "We have to face up to the wide prevalence of problem drug use across society and provide appropriate services to meet the health and social needs of the diverse population groups who use drugs."
The Journal
28-05-2025
- Health
- The Journal
Cocaine the main drug in almost 40% of addiction treatment cases last year
COCAINE WAS THE main drug in almost 40% of cases of treatment for problem drug use last year, according to a report by the Health Research Board (HRB). There was a record figure of 13,295 cases treated for problem drug use in 2024. The data published in the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) by the HRB shows an upward trend in treatment cases, up 50% since the National Drugs Strategy began in 2017. The data shows that the demand for drug treatment is across all regions of the country, all age groups, men and women, people with and without children, and those who are unemployed as well those with jobs. There was an increase of 7.4% in the number of cases where cocaine was the main drug, now accounting for 39.8% of all cases. There was also an increase of 21% in the number of cases where benzodiazepines were the main drug, up to 13.4% of all cases. Advertisement There was an increase of 4.1% in people using more than one drug at the same time, up to 60% of all cases. There was also a decrease in the number of cases where opioids were the main drug, down to 25% of all cases. Minister of State at the Department of Health Jennifer Murnane O'Connor said, 'This report provides clear evidence of the importance of a health-led approach to drug use. 'We have to face up to the wide prevalence of problem drug use across society and provide appropriate services to meet the health and social needs of the diverse population groups who use drugs.' The government's approach to drug use became a contentious political issue in the last general election campaign. Fine Gael leader Simon Harris criticised Fianna Fáil's proposal to decriminalise personal drug use, despite the findings of a cross-party citizen's assembly on the issue and Fine Gael's own record on drugs. With reporting from Press Association 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
Belfast Telegraph
27-05-2025
- Health
- Belfast Telegraph
Cocaine the problem drug in almost two fifths of cases needing treatment
There was a record figure of 13,295 cases treated for problem drug use in 2024. The data published on Wednesday in the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) by the Health Research Board (HRB) shows an upward trend in treatment cases, up 50% since the National Drugs Strategy began in 2017. The data shows that the demand for drug treatment is across all regions of the country, all age groups, men and women, people with and without children, and those who are unemployed as well those with jobs. There was an increase of 7.4% in the number of cases where cocaine was the main drug, now accounting for 39.8% of all cases. There was also an increase of 21% in the number of cases where benzodiazepines were the main drug, up to 13.4% of all cases. There was an increase of 4.1% in polydrug use, up to 60% of all cases. There was also a decrease in the number of cases where opioids were the main drug, down to 25% of all cases. The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, said 'This report provides clear evidence of the importance of a health-led approach to drug use. 'We have to face up to the wide prevalence of problem drug use across society and provide appropriate services to meet the health and social needs of the diverse population groups who use drugs.'
Irish Examiner
25-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Examiner
Community drug projects welcome Government funding of €1.9m for addiction treatment services
Community drug projects have welcomed Government funding of almost €1.9m over a three-year period to assist in the 'essential life-saving' work carried out by local organisations. The monies will be allocated across six health regions and are focused on increasing drug treatment in local areas. Minister for the national drugs strategy Jennifer Murnane O'Connor said the allocation of €1.89m was being made available through the Community Services Enhancement Fund. 'This funding represents another practical step in our efforts to strengthen the health-led response to drug use by enhancing access and delivery of drug services in the community, in line with the national drugs strategy,' she said. 'The six HSE health regions will each receive between €252,000 and €378,000 per year, with allocations based on population needs.' The minister of state at the Department of Health said by making drug treatment available as part of primary care, the State was helping to 'reduce stigma of drug use' and meet the needs of those presenting. Ms Murnane O'Connor said the programme for government committed to increase funding for drug addiction services, including local drug and alcohol taskforces. She said the funding also aligned with the report of the Citizens' Assembly on Drugs Use, which reported in January 2024. HSE clinical lead for addiction services Professor Eamon Keenan welcomed the announcement: 'This funding will enhance the delivery of drug and alcohol community services in the newly established HSE health regions across the country. "This will allow evidence-based interventions to be provided in those areas of most need and these initiatives will be subject to measurements of outcomes, thus ensuring that the identified service need is met.' The funding will be allocated on three-year cycle, with ongoing monitoring and evaluation. The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS), published by the Health Research Board, shows there were 13,104 cases in 2023, which is an increase of almost 50% from 8,922 in 2017. Anna Quigley, coordinator of Citywide, a national group representing community drug projects, said: 'Citywide welcomes any additional funding that is made available for the essential life-saving work that is carried out by community drug projects across the country. 'There is very little recognition of the range and extent of the work they do on a daily basis, not only to support people who are using drugs, also their families and the wider community — our communities would be devastated without them.' Ms Quigley added: 'However, we would emphasise the importance for the projects of having secure long-term funding that can be depended on and it is essential that the next national drugs strategy commits to putting this secure funding in place on a muti-annual basis. 'It is not acceptable that so many of our essential local services face into each new year with insecurity around funding levels and the resulting difficulties in planning ahead and recruiting staff.' Read More Opioid addiction three times higher in Dublin than the rest of Ireland, new study finds
