Report details depth of heroin problem in NI

A scientific study has for the first time documented the extent of the heroin problem in Northern Ireland.

The report commissioned by the Drug and Alcohol Unit of the Department of Health, "Prevalence of Problem Heroin Use in Northern Ireland" shows that up to 1,000 people are ‘problem heroin users’.

Using a capture-recapture methodology, the report indicated there are between 695 and 1,018 ‘problem heroin users’ in Northern Ireland with an estimated mean in the region of 828.

With between one-third to one-half of ‘problem heroin users’ in treatment during the report’s 12-month study period, the statistical analysis revealed that at least half of those users did not receive any treatment for their addiction during this period.

According to the survey, users in Ballymena were more likely to be male, younger, and injecting compared with clients from other locations.

In Belfast, the report found, users were more inclined to smoke and not inject the drug.

The Northern Ireland Drug and Alcohol Strategy Co-ordinator, Jo Daykin, has welcomed the report. She said: "It provides a reliable baseline of the number of problem heroin users. This will enable us to more effectively plan and target services."

The survey, which was carried out by Dr Karen McElrath, from Queen’s University, gauged the number of users over a 12-month period from November 2000 to October 2001.

It identified ‘problem users’ as individuals who had experienced significant "social, psychological, physical or legal problems associated with dependence, intoxication or regular consumption" of heroin.

(AMcE)