Menu
06/10/2009
NI's Drug Abusers Highlighted
Cannabis remains the drug of choice for Northern Ireland users.
A statistical bulletin detailing information on problem drug users presenting for treatment services in the year ending 31 March 2009 has been published.
The bulletin, published by the Department of Health, reports on information collected through the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database (DMD), which was established in April 2000.
It revealed that 1,755 individuals presented for treatment and gave their consent for their details to be included in the DMD.
This is compared to 1,984 the year before, a decrease of 229 individuals or 12%.
Cannabis was the most commonly reported main drug of misuse being reported by 39% of individuals in 2008/09 compared to 35% in 2007/08.
Benzodiazepines were the second most commonly reported main drug of misuse; they were reported by 22% of individuals in 2008/09 compared to 31% in 2007/08.
Cocaine (including crack cocaine) was the third most commonly reported main drug of misuse; it was reported by 11% of individuals in 2008/09 compared to 10% in 2007/08 and heroin was reported as the main drug of misuse by 8% of individuals in 2008/09 and in 2007/08.
Approximately two thirds (67%) of those who presented for treatment in 2008/09 and reported heroin as their main problem drug had been treated before and the proportion of individuals who had ever injected, at 10%, was the same in 2008/09 as it was in the previous year.
The new data also shows that the majority (72%) of individuals who presented were male and more than one fifth (21%) were aged 21 years and under.
It's a similar story in Scotland where the National and Local Prevalence of Problem Drug Misuse in Scotland report has just estimated that 55,328 individuals, aged 15-64, were misusing opiates and benzodiazepines during 2006.
See: Drugs Misuse 'Too Great To Ignore'
(BMcC/KMcA)
A statistical bulletin detailing information on problem drug users presenting for treatment services in the year ending 31 March 2009 has been published.
The bulletin, published by the Department of Health, reports on information collected through the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database (DMD), which was established in April 2000.
It revealed that 1,755 individuals presented for treatment and gave their consent for their details to be included in the DMD.
This is compared to 1,984 the year before, a decrease of 229 individuals or 12%.
Cannabis was the most commonly reported main drug of misuse being reported by 39% of individuals in 2008/09 compared to 35% in 2007/08.
Benzodiazepines were the second most commonly reported main drug of misuse; they were reported by 22% of individuals in 2008/09 compared to 31% in 2007/08.
Cocaine (including crack cocaine) was the third most commonly reported main drug of misuse; it was reported by 11% of individuals in 2008/09 compared to 10% in 2007/08 and heroin was reported as the main drug of misuse by 8% of individuals in 2008/09 and in 2007/08.
Approximately two thirds (67%) of those who presented for treatment in 2008/09 and reported heroin as their main problem drug had been treated before and the proportion of individuals who had ever injected, at 10%, was the same in 2008/09 as it was in the previous year.
The new data also shows that the majority (72%) of individuals who presented were male and more than one fifth (21%) were aged 21 years and under.
It's a similar story in Scotland where the National and Local Prevalence of Problem Drug Misuse in Scotland report has just estimated that 55,328 individuals, aged 15-64, were misusing opiates and benzodiazepines during 2006.
See: Drugs Misuse 'Too Great To Ignore'
(BMcC/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 March 2022
218 Drug-Related Deaths In NI In 2020
A total of 218 drug-related deaths were registered in NI in 2020, the highest number of record and a continuation of an upwards trend. The figure was revealed in the latest report on Drug-related and drug-misuse deaths in Northern Ireland, 2010-2020, published by Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra).
218 Drug-Related Deaths In NI In 2020
A total of 218 drug-related deaths were registered in NI in 2020, the highest number of record and a continuation of an upwards trend. The figure was revealed in the latest report on Drug-related and drug-misuse deaths in Northern Ireland, 2010-2020, published by Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (Nisra).
01 March 2017
New Ad Campaign Launched To Encourage Reporting Of Drug Dealing
A major ad campaign has been launched urging the public to report drug dealing to Crimstoppers. The campaign, which will feature viral videos alongside bus, adshel, online and radio advertising, aims to highlight the damage drugs do to individuals, families and communities.
New Ad Campaign Launched To Encourage Reporting Of Drug Dealing
A major ad campaign has been launched urging the public to report drug dealing to Crimstoppers. The campaign, which will feature viral videos alongside bus, adshel, online and radio advertising, aims to highlight the damage drugs do to individuals, families and communities.
17 December 2010
Many Arrests In Gardaí Drugs Raids
A total of 45 people have been arrested in the past 48 hours in Gardaí a crackdown on the sale and supply of heroin and 'crack' cocaine in the Dublin region. The operation, which involved Garda drug units from Kevin Street, Pearse Street and Store Street stations, resulted in 150 charges being brought, according to Gardaí this morning.
Many Arrests In Gardaí Drugs Raids
A total of 45 people have been arrested in the past 48 hours in Gardaí a crackdown on the sale and supply of heroin and 'crack' cocaine in the Dublin region. The operation, which involved Garda drug units from Kevin Street, Pearse Street and Store Street stations, resulted in 150 charges being brought, according to Gardaí this morning.
27 January 2005
Research reveals extent of drug use in NI
A new report into behavioural habits of injecting drug users in Northern Ireland has found that almost one in three people who use needles to inject drugs have been diagnosed with Hepatitus C.
Research reveals extent of drug use in NI
A new report into behavioural habits of injecting drug users in Northern Ireland has found that almost one in three people who use needles to inject drugs have been diagnosed with Hepatitus C.
26 February 2009
NI Drug Deaths Double
The number of drug related deaths registered each year has more than doubled over the last decade rising from 39 deaths in 1997 to 86 last year. The 86 fatalities were registered in Northern Ireland where the cause of death was drug related, either due to legal or illegal drugs.
NI Drug Deaths Double
The number of drug related deaths registered each year has more than doubled over the last decade rising from 39 deaths in 1997 to 86 last year. The 86 fatalities were registered in Northern Ireland where the cause of death was drug related, either due to legal or illegal drugs.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
