31 May 2016, 10.00 am:

Latest drug treatment figures from the Health Research Board show that 9,523 cases were treated for problem drug use in Ireland in 2014, increasing from 8,684 in 2013. Opiates continue to be the main problem drug with 4,745 cases presenting for treatment. Cannabis was the most common main problem drug for new entrants to treatment. A total of 1,696 (45.0%) new cases identified cannabis as their main problem drug. The number of cases reporting a benzodiazepine as their main problem drug was 914 in 2014, increasing from 773 in 2013.

These figures are included in the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) European drug report 2016: trends and developments published today. The European report summarises the latest trends across the 28 EU member states, and Norway and Turkey. The HRB provides the Irish figures for the EMCDDA report.

Graham Love, Chief Executive of the Health Research Board (HRB) said, ‘Demand for drug treatment continues to rise. By monitoring demand for drug treatment and the types of drugs people are taking, we can provide essential input for service planning. Cooperation at a European level also allows us to identify emerging trends, understand drug markets better and inform decision-making.  It is encouraging to see Government commitment to complete a new National Drugs Strategy within a year. The Health Research Board will continue to work with the Department of Health and other agencies in developing a strategy that is informed by solid evidence’.