This report therefore sets the view of the stakeholders and the committee in the context of an examination of data and research relating to the prevalence of alcohol and drug misuse in Ireland. It provides statistics of substance misuse in the general population as well as in high risk groups.

As mentioned above, it incorporates the Joint Committee‟s deliberations and meetings with a wide range of stakeholders during late 2011.

The report is divided into four parts:

i. drug misuse and high risk groups;
ii. misuse of alcohol;
iii. alcohol related harm; social and economic consequences; and
iv. interventions to tackle alcohol and drug misuse.