Pubdate: Mon, 16 Aug 2004
Source: Limerick Post (Ireland)
Copyright: 2004 Limerick Post Newspapers
Website: http://www2.limerickpost.ie/
Contact:  http://www.mapinc.org/media/3473
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/coke.htm (Cocaine)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mdma.htm (Ecstasy)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/hr.htm (Harm Reduction)

DRUG USE TRIPLES

THE rate of drug abuse has trebled throughout the country over the past few 
years, according to research by the Health Research Board. The rate of new 
cases coming for treatment in the Mid West has shot up by 44 new cases per 
100,000 population.

The main problem drug remains cannabis, with ecstasy running a close 
second. Cocaine use has increased seven fold, but the actual number of 
users remains small. Other trends uncovered included the fact that the 
number of cases where drugs were injected trebled. Injecting drugs carries 
the risk of infections such as HIV and hepatitis, especially if needles are 
shared.

There has also been a slight increase in the number of drug abusers under 
18 seeking treatment.

The Health Research Board said that the broad spectrum of drugs used in 
this country indicates a need for treatment centres which cater for both 
licit and illicit drugs. They also noted that those under 18 needed a 
different approach to treatment, and this needs to be recognised in service 
planning.

Dr Jean Long, senior researcher with the Health Research Board, said she 
was particularly concerned about the increase in the number of people 
injecting drugs. "Injectors have a higher risk of acquiring blood-borne 
viral infections and experiencing overdose than non-injectors. This points 
to a need for drug treatment services to continue to take a proactive 
approach to prevention, harm reduction, and treatment interventions that 
target viruses like HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C in particular, as well 
as opiate-related overdoses."
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MAP posted-by: Jo-D