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10/10/2006
NI drugs misuse database releases statistics
A Statistical Bulletin detailing information on problem drug users presenting to specialist drug treatment services in Northern Ireland in the year ending March 31 2005 has been published today.
The bulletin, which was published by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, reports on information collected through the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database (DMD), which was established in April 2000.
The report covered statistics throughout a twelve month period, ending on March 31 2006, during which 1,666 individuals presented for treatment gave their consent for their details to be included in the Drug Misuse Database (DMD).
This compared to 1,746 the year before, a decrease of 80 individuals or 5%.
The majority, 72% of users presenting were male; over one third or 36% of users were in their twenties, and just under a third, 29% were aged under 20.
Cannabis was the most commonly reported main drug of misuse, with 49% reporting it as their drug of choice in 2005/06, compared to 46% the year before.
10% of those interviewed reported heroin as their main drug of misuse in 2005/06 compared to 14% in 2004/05, with over three-quarters – 77% of those presenting for treatment with heroin as the main problem, had been treated before.
The proportion of individuals who had ever injected had fallen to 13% in 2005/06 from 17% the previous year.
The proportion who reported cocaine as their main drug increased from 7% in 2004/05 to 9% in 2005/06, with the use of benzodiazepines increasing from 10% in 2004/05 to 14% in the following period.
(EF/KMcA)
The bulletin, which was published by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, reports on information collected through the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database (DMD), which was established in April 2000.
The report covered statistics throughout a twelve month period, ending on March 31 2006, during which 1,666 individuals presented for treatment gave their consent for their details to be included in the Drug Misuse Database (DMD).
This compared to 1,746 the year before, a decrease of 80 individuals or 5%.
The majority, 72% of users presenting were male; over one third or 36% of users were in their twenties, and just under a third, 29% were aged under 20.
Cannabis was the most commonly reported main drug of misuse, with 49% reporting it as their drug of choice in 2005/06, compared to 46% the year before.
10% of those interviewed reported heroin as their main drug of misuse in 2005/06 compared to 14% in 2004/05, with over three-quarters – 77% of those presenting for treatment with heroin as the main problem, had been treated before.
The proportion of individuals who had ever injected had fallen to 13% in 2005/06 from 17% the previous year.
The proportion who reported cocaine as their main drug increased from 7% in 2004/05 to 9% in 2005/06, with the use of benzodiazepines increasing from 10% in 2004/05 to 14% in the following period.
(EF/KMcA)
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