The Health Service Executive (HSE) South published its annual report, Data co-ordination overview of drug misuse 2007, in July 2008.1 The report comprises three sections: treatment services, education and prevention, and supply and control.
The section on treatment services analyses data collected from statutory and voluntary drug and alcohol treatment agencies, acute general hospitals and psychiatric hospitals in the HSE South Eastern Area. Data from the drug and alcohol treatment services are returned to the National Drug Treatment Reporting System in the Health Research Board.
The total number of individuals seeking treatment in 2007 was 2,951, an increase of 310 on the 2006 figure. The report notes that there was not full year reporting from some services because of retirement and illness. Some 223 concerned persons (family members or close friends of substance users) contacted treatment services in the south east in 2007, an increase of 108 on the 2006 figure.
The combined total of continuous care clients and new referrals who were treated was 2,265. Of these:
· 69% were male and 31% female.
· 7.1% were under the age of 18, and 43% were aged between 20 and 34.
· Alcohol (64%) was the most common main problem substance for which treatment was sought, followed by cannabis (12%) and heroin (10%).
· The numbers seeking treatment for alcohol and cannabis decreased since 2006, while the numbers seeking treatment for cocaine, heroin, MDMA, amphetamines and volatile inhalants increased.
· 9% of treated clients reported that they had injected a substance at some point in their lives, of whom over half (53%) reported that they had shared injecting equipment.
Data presented in this report are useful for planning future services.
1. Kidd M (2008) Data co-ordination overview of drug misuse 2007. Waterford: HSE South.