Research: Current Research

(i)  Irish Drug Misuse: Irish Adults
(ii) Irish Drug Misuse: HRB Survey 2000

Irish Adults

Levels of Drug Misuse amongst the Irish Adult Population

The true prevalence of problem drug use in Ireland is unknown. While it may never be possible to capture accurately the extent of this covert activity, it is possible to estimate it indirectly through indicators such as treatment data, drug-related crime statistics and drug-related deaths.

Official recognition of problem drug-use in Ireland dates back to the mid 1960s. To begin with, illegal drug use was mainly restricted to substances such as cannabis and LSD and the extent of the problem was relatively small (Hogan, 1997). The early 1980s saw a sharp rise in the numbers seeking treatment for heroin dependence, and available statistics since this period suggest a steady increase in the numbers seeking help for opiate addiction (O'Brien, Moran, Kelleher & Cahill 2000).

The problem of heroin dependence is perceived to be predominantly confined to socially and economically disadvantaged areas. In Dublin, it has been described as ‘probably the greatest single problem facing the capital (Ministerial Task Force, 1996, p. 5).

Between 1965 and 1993 there was a fifty-fold increase in the numbers of drug-related charges initiated by the Garda Síochána. However, numbers were still relatively low: by 1995, only 3,730 out of an estimated 100,000 indictable crimes were drug-related, with the bulk of the charges relating to the possession and supply of cannabis (O’Mahony,1997a). Research on convictions and committals indicates that drug-related crimes statistics under-represent the extent of the drug problem in Irish society. For example in a study of male prisoners in Mountjoy Prison, O'Mahony (1997b) found that while 66 per cent of the total sample had used Heroin, only 6.9 per cent were in prison as a result of a "Misuse of Drugs" conviction.

Recent figures from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System show increases in the numbers of adults receiving treatment for drug misuse throughout the country from 4,391 in 1995 (O'Higgins, 1997) to 6,043 in 1998 (O'Brien et al., 2000). The increased numbers reflect, inter alia, the increased availability of treatment. More specifically, opiate use is also increasing with 'problematic opiate use' concentrated in the Dublin area, in line with high levels of socio-economic deprivation (O'Brien et al., 2000). [Top]

Irish Drug Misuse: HRB Survey 2000

A nationwide survey carried out amongst the Irish population by The Drug Misuse Division of the Health Research Board in 2000, highlighted the following four recommendations in relation to the key findings from the research.

"The Irish have a good general awareness of commonly used illegal drugs. However, their perception of the general harmfulness of these substances indicates a lack of accurate knowledge about the different effects associated with different types of drugs."

Recommendations:
The provision of accurate information of a non-sensationalist type to all age groups, on the relative known risks associated with different types of drugs.

- Societal attitudes towards drug users are mostly negative. Those with personal experience of someone "with a drug problem" tend to have negative attitudes, as do younger members of society and those with higher levels of education.

Recommendation:
The promotion of more positive attitudes towards those who misuse drugs, particularly amongst older people and those with less education. A positive attitudinal climate is important to the social integration of problem drug users and to their willingness to avail of treatment.

- The public generally perceive drug-taking to be common among young people, and there is a high level of concern about the current drug situation in Ireland. Notwithstanding this, alcohol abuse tends to be perceived as a more serious problem in society than illicit drug abuse.

Recommendation:
The continuation of efforts to address the problem of legal as well as illegal drugs.

- While societal attitudes towards those who use and abuse drugs are negative, respondents attach high priority to providing help to drug users. This high level of support for drug treatment is likely to be related to the widespread perception that the drug problem is a very serious issue in Irish society.

Recommendation:
The retention of the drug issue high on the political and social agenda. [Top]