Pubdate: Sun, 05 May 2002 Source: Irish Independent (Ireland) Copyright: Independent Newspapers (Ireland) Ltd Contact: http://www.independent.ie/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/213 Author: Niamh Hooper POSITIVE RESULTS IN WAR ON DRUGS JUNIOR Minister for the National Drugs Strategy Eoin Ryan yesterday welcomed a new report by the Health Research Board which shows inroads have been made in addressing Ireland's drug problem. However, he stressed that there was no room for complacency. "I am confident that the 100 actions which are set out in the strategy will continue to yield positive results and make a lasting difference to the lives of those individuals, families and communities who have been affected by drugs," Mr Ryan said. The Drug Misuse Research Division report based on a survey of treatment clinics between 1996 and 2000 provides indicators of emerging trends in drug misuse, he said. These findings will be used in conjunction with a major study commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs on heroin users in an attempt to tackle Ireland's drug problem. The National Drugs Strategy report showed that the numbers availing of methadone treatment have jumped from 1,400 in 1997 to 6,000 today but this increase is seen positively as an indication that the services are attracting the drug-users they are designed to help. However, it was highlighted the number of "first-time treatment contacts" were down significantly in the Eastern Health Board Area which accounts for the vast majority of drug-users in the country. This is being interpreted as a levelling off in the use of heroin as anecdotal evidence from the Local Drugs Task Force areas indicates a shift in emphasis from treatment to preventative measures. There is also a significant drop in numbers being treated for ecstasy and cannabis in the Eastern region. Conversely, the report showed emerging heroin use in isolated urban areas outside Dublin. Mr Ryan warned against the growing incidence of risky behaviour among drug-users where users are sharing injecting equipment. He said this was leading to the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C. A positive shift in the profile of drug-users was also observed, particularly amongst heroin users. In 1996 only 9 per cent of drug-users in treatment were in the workforce whereas in 1999 this figure has increased to 26 per cent. - --- MAP posted-by: Alex