Latest drug treatment figures from the Health Research Board (HRB) show that a total of 63,187 cases were treated for problem drug use (excluding alcohol) in Ireland between 2010 and 2016. Treated cases increased from 8,806 cases in 2010, to 9,227 in 2016*.

Commenting on some of the trends in the paper, Dr Suzi Lyons, Senior Researcher at the HRB said; ‘There are changes in the types of drugs reported. Opiates remain the main problem drug over the period, but they have decreased as a proportion of all cases treated, from 58% in 2010 to 47% in 2016. Meanwhile the proportion of all cases that report cocaine, cannabis and benzodiazepines have increased’.

‘Since 2014 there has been a steady increase in the proportion of cases reporting cocaine as a main problem drug, rising from 8% (708 cases) of all cases in 2013 to 12% (1,138 cases) of all cases in 2016. This rise is seen in both new and previously treated cases. There has been an increase in the proportion of cases who were female, from 14% in 2010 to 23% in 2016’.

‘The figures show a decrease in the proportion of new cases, or people presenting for treatment for the first time. However there has been an increase in the proportion of previously treated cases, or people returning for treatment, indicating the chronic, relapsing nature of addiction’.

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