Prevalence and patterns of drug use among the general population, measured by probabilistic surveys of the adult and school population, is one of five EMCDDA key indicators that assess the drugs situation and allow monitoring of progress towards EU and Member State drug policy targets.

The aim of this key indicator is to provide valid, reliable and comparable information on the extent, the distribution and the patterns of drug use in the general population (adults and young people), the characteristics of drug users and their perceptions. Each Member State is required to complete a regular survey to estimate national drug use prevalence and Ireland has conducted four of these general population surveys (2002/03, 2006/07, 20010/11 and 2014/15).

Previous surveys were conducted simultaneously in Ireland and Northern Ireland (on behalf of the Public Health Information and Research Branch (PHIRB), within the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety). However, this iteration of the survey was conducted solely within Ireland.

[For data and publications related to this survey go to our prevalence page]