Pike, Brigid
(2011)
State of the nation's children report: Ireland 2010.
Drugnet Ireland,
Issue 38, Summer 2011,
pp. 7-8.
State of the nation's children report: Ireland 2010
On 21 December 2010 the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Barry Andrews TD, launched the State of the nation's children report: Ireland 2010. The third in a biennial series, which draws on recent administrative, survey and census data on children's lives, the report contains a series of indicators highlighting children’s health, educational and social, emotional and behavioural outcomes; their relationships with family and friends; and services and supports for children.
With regard to the use of psychoactive substances by children and young people, the report shows that lifetime use of cannabis by 9–17-year-olds increased between 2002 and 2006 by 3.6%, while the prevalence of daily smoking among young people declined by 1.5% over the same period. With regard to alcohol, in 2006, 20.4% of children aged 10–17 reported that they had been drunk at least once in the last 30 days.
Two indicators illustrate the nature and extent of problems associated with the use of psychoactive substances.
· Referrals to the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme: Between 2008 and 2009 the number of children referred to the Garda Juvenile Diversion Programme decreased substantially, from 21,412 to 18,519. In 2009 alcohol-related offences were the single highest cause of referrals to the programme, representing 17.8% of all referrals; possession of drugs accounted for 4.3% of referrals.
· Admissions to psychiatric hospitals: While the total number of children admitted to psychiatric hospitals increased from 352 in 2004 to 406 in 2008, the number of children being admitted with a diagnosis of drug dependence fell from 32 in 2004 to 17 in 2008 (4.2 % of total admitted in 2008 and a rate of 1.6 per 100,000), and those diagnosed with an alcohol disorder dropped from 17 to 8 (2% of those admitted in 2008 and a rate of 0.7 per 100,000).
Publication Type
Irish-related, Open Access, Article
Issue Title
Issue 38, Summer 2011
Publisher
Health Research Board
Volume
Issue 38, Summer 2011
Accession Number
HRB (Available)
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