Home > An assessment of the prevalence of drug misuse in South Inner City Dublin 2011.

Giaquinto, Fran (2011) An assessment of the prevalence of drug misuse in South Inner City Dublin 2011. Dublin: South Inner City Local Drugs Task Force.

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In May 2011, South Inner City Drugs Task Force commissioned research to assess the prevalence of drug misuse in South Inner City Dublin. The research was based on two sources of information, 1) focus groups and personal interviews with service users attending some of the Task Force projects, and 2) information obtained from HSE and HRB reports, and other literature.

A total of twenty-six service users agreed to either participate in a personal interview or a focus group. They were asked four main questions: 1) their previous or current drug use; 2) their perception of the prevalence of drug misuse; 3) the nature of drug dealing, and 4) young people‘s use of drugs in South Inner City.

On page 8 of our report those participating in the research reported that Crystal meth Quote “Is not over here”. Since the research was concluded in October 2011 reports have been received that Crystal Meth has surfaced quite worryingly in our Drug Task Force Area.

Because of this information and the need for up to date “Data” it is the intention of the South Inner City Local Drug Task Force to carry out “Local Research” in relation to emerging drug trends on an annual basis.

The focus groups and interviews provided valuable information on prevalence. When this information was considered with published HSE and HRB data, a number of trends emerged which have important implications for treatment providers, as follows:
• Young people are at high risk of the adverse effects of legal highs, alcohol and tablets, which they may use in combination.
• Use of legal highs and other drugs among young people in Ireland is significantly higher than elsewhere in the EU.
• Illicit and “legal” drugs are more readily available in Ireland than elsewhere.
• Some legal highs have become a drug of choice.
• Service providers should be on high alert for crystal meth.
• Drugs in Ireland contain increasing amounts of impurities, which appear to be higher than in the UK.
• There is a very high prevalence of prescription drugs on the market, including locally manufactured tablets which may contain dangerous substances.
• Over the last three years there has been a 3% increase in clients over the age of forty-years attending drug treatment projects.
• The number of women engaged in treatment in South Inner City over the last three years has decreased, whereas the number of males in treatment has increased.


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