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Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
New community initiative launched in Dublin 8 to tackle alcohol harm
Today at 08:18 The canal communities of Bluebell, Dolphin's Barn, Inchicore and the wider Dublin 8 area have launched a major initiative aimed at reducing the harm caused by alcohol. The project, called Building SAFER Communities, focuses on strengthening the prevention of drug and alcohol use, and associated harms, among children and young people. Speakers at the launch included Dr Aisling Sheehan of the HSE, Superintendent Dave Butler of An Garda Síochána, Anne Doyle of the Health Research Board, Norah Byrne of the Canal Communities Regional Addiction Service, and Orla Fagan of Irish Community Action on Alcohol. Music on the day was provided by the Recovery Choir and the Dolphin House Choir. 'I was delighted to attend the launch of Building SAFER Communities,' said local councillor Daithí Doolan. 'This is a major initiative supported by the Canals Local Drug and Alcohol Task Force, the HSE, Gardaí, and Irish Community Action on Alcohol. 'It's a genuine community-based response to the harm caused by alcohol, particularly to our young people.' Building SAFER Communities is based on the World Health Organisation's SAFER package, a set of high-impact policy measures designed to reduce and prevent alcohol-related harm. 'Over the next three years, this project will be rolled out across 12 communities in Ireland, supported by seven local and regional Drug and Alcohol Task Forces,' Cllr Doolan said. The initiative is informed by local research, which showed that one in five respondents reported experiencing family or relationship difficulties due to alcohol, while just over one in ten had faced financial issues as a result of someone else's drinking. 'It is very clear that alcohol is having dangerous effects on individuals, families, and the wider community,' said Cllr Doolan. 'The response must also be community-based and focused on improving quality of life for people and their families.' He described the launch event as 'a very positive occasion, promoting healthy alternatives and celebrating recovery'. 'We had the Recovery Choir, the Dolphin House Choir, and leading experts including Dr Aisling Sheehan from the HSE and Anne Doyle from the Health Research Board outlining the level of harm caused by alcohol and, crucially, what can be done to reduce it,' he added. Related topics Sarah Burke
Sunday World
6 days ago
- Health
- Sunday World
Number of women seeking treatment for cocaine addiction in Ireland soars by over 400%
Cocaine was the main problem drug for those entering treatment The number of women in Ireland seeking treatment for cocaine addiction has soared by more than 400%. The latest Health Research Board (HRB) figures show that there has been a 426% rise in the number of women presenting for treatment over the last eight years. There were 284 cases in 2017, rising to 1,494 cases last year. Jo-Hanna Ivers, a Professor at Trinity College Dublin, and an addiction specialist, said that more women are seeking treatment for addiction as their mindsets are changing. 'It came from a place where remember, women were not showing up for treatment,' she told Newstalk Breakfast. Getty Images News in 90 Seconds - May 28th 'So, we're still in a position where we're closing a gap. We're seeing more women present for treatment that need it, but I still think that's a gap.' She explained that female addicts often fear what will happen to their children should they enter treatment. 'We're in a society clearly where a woman will be more stigmatised, particularly a woman who has children,' she said. 'There's a perception among women who use drugs that, 'If I seek treatment, that's going to trigger some response around child protection.' 'As a mother myself, that's a real concern, you could imagine how that would hold someone back. 'I think those things are changing slowly but not quick enough.' In 2024, there were more people treated for problem drug use, than in any other year on record, with 13,295 cases in 2024, up 191% on the year prior. Cocaine was the most common drug used by those receiving treatment, with two in five cases related to the drug. A total of 5,289 people were treated for cocaine use last year, up 7% from 2023. Overall, there has been a 250% increase in people receiving treatment for cocaine as their main problem drug since 2017. It is also the main problem drug for almost half of those who are new to treatment. Meanwhile, there was a 300% rise in people returning to treatment for cocaine addiction since 2017. The figures show that 39% of those seeking treatment for powder cocaine were employed, with the median age of those entering treatment was 32. Meanwhile, 7% of those entering treatment for crack cocaine were employed, with a median age of 40. Cocaine was the main problem drug for 20-44 year olds, while for those under 19, cannabis was the main problem drug, while cocaine. The study also found that for those 45 or older, opioids were the main problem. The most common drugs used together were cocaine and alcohol, followed by cocaine and cannabis, followed by opioids and cocaine.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- General
- BreakingNews.ie
Cocaine problem drug in almost two fifths of cases needing treatment
Cocaine was the main drug in almost 40 per cent of cases of treatment for problem drug use, according to a new report. There was a record figure of 13,295 cases treated for problem drug use in 2024. Advertisement The data published on Wednesday in the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) by the Health Research Board (HRB) shows an upward trend in treatment cases, up 50 per cent since the National Drugs Strategy began in 2017. The data shows that the demand for drug treatment is across all regions of the country, all age groups, men and women, people with and without children, and those who are unemployed as well those with jobs. There was an increase of 7.4 per cent in the number of cases where cocaine was the main drug, now accounting for 39.8 per cent of all cases. There was also an increase of 21 per cent in the number of cases where benzodiazepines were the main drug, up to 13.4 per cent of all cases. Advertisement Ireland Ireland projected to miss 2030 target of reducing... Read More There was an increase of 4.1 per cent in polydrug use, up to 60 per cent of all cases. There was also a decrease in the number of cases where opioids were the main drug, down to 25 per cent of all cases. The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, said 'This report provides clear evidence of the importance of a health-led approach to drug use. 'We have to face up to the wide prevalence of problem drug use across society and provide appropriate services to meet the health and social needs of the diverse population groups who use drugs.'
Irish Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Health
- Irish Daily Mirror
Cocaine the problem drug in almost two fifths of Irish cases needing treatment
Cocaine was the main drug in almost 40 per cent of cases of treatment for problem drug use, according to a report. There was a record figure of 13,295 cases treated for problem drug use in 2024. The data published on Wednesday in the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) by the Health Research Board (HRB) shows an upward trend in treatment cases, up 50 per cent since the National Drugs Strategy began in 2017. The data shows that the demand for drug treatment is across all regions of the country, all age groups, men and women, people with and without children, and those who are unemployed as well those with jobs. There was an increase of 7.4 per cent in the number of cases where cocaine was the main drug, now accounting for 39.8 per cent of all cases. There was also an increase of 21 per cent in the number of cases where benzodiazepines were the main drug, up to 13.4 per cent of all cases. There was an increase of 4.1 per cent in polydrug use, up to 60 per cent of all cases. There was also a decrease in the number of cases where opioids were the main drug, down to 25 per cent of all cases. The Minister for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Jennifer Murnane O'Connor, said "This report provides clear evidence of the importance of a health-led approach to drug use. "We have to face up to the wide prevalence of problem drug use across society and provide appropriate services to meet the health and social needs of the diverse population groups who use drugs."
The Journal
6 days ago
- Health
- The Journal
Cocaine the main drug in almost 40% of addiction treatment cases last year
COCAINE WAS THE main drug in almost 40% of cases of treatment for problem drug use last year, according to a report by the Health Research Board (HRB). There was a record figure of 13,295 cases treated for problem drug use in 2024. The data published in the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) by the HRB shows an upward trend in treatment cases, up 50% since the National Drugs Strategy began in 2017. The data shows that the demand for drug treatment is across all regions of the country, all age groups, men and women, people with and without children, and those who are unemployed as well those with jobs. There was an increase of 7.4% in the number of cases where cocaine was the main drug, now accounting for 39.8% of all cases. There was also an increase of 21% in the number of cases where benzodiazepines were the main drug, up to 13.4% of all cases. Advertisement There was an increase of 4.1% in people using more than one drug at the same time, up to 60% of all cases. There was also a decrease in the number of cases where opioids were the main drug, down to 25% of all cases. Minister of State at the Department of Health Jennifer Murnane O'Connor said, 'This report provides clear evidence of the importance of a health-led approach to drug use. 'We have to face up to the wide prevalence of problem drug use across society and provide appropriate services to meet the health and social needs of the diverse population groups who use drugs.' The government's approach to drug use became a contentious political issue in the last general election campaign. Fine Gael leader Simon Harris criticised Fianna Fáil's proposal to decriminalise personal drug use, despite the findings of a cross-party citizen's assembly on the issue and Fine Gael's own record on drugs. With reporting from Press Association Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
