Key findings include:

• Mapping treatment demand identifies that drug and alcohol dependence is a community wide issue affecting all socio-economic groups, though is more pronounced in deprived areas
• Treated drug users report an increase in the use of alcohol, cannabis herb, cocaine powder, benzodiazepines and z drugs
• Evidence of drug use during school hours in 8 local secondary schools/training centres
• Easy access to drugs continues and is facilitated by general practitioners prescribing drugs and an increase in the number of under 18s dealing
• Prevalence rates of drug and alcohol use in the general population suggest 53,000 (65%) of the Dublin 15 population use alcohol and 4,000 (11%) use illegal drugs on a monthly basis
• Family members of drug users continue to report the negative impact drug and alcohol dependence has on the family
• Prevalence rates of drug and alcohol dependence suggest a large proportion of problem users not in treatment; identifying the challenge for local services to proactively identify and engage drug dependent people in treatment
• Access to mental health services continues to be an issue (see report for other gaps in service provision)