Statistics from the Northern Ireland Drug Addicts Index 2009

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published a statistical bulletin summarising information from the Northern Ireland Addicts Index.

People are registered on the index if they are known to be, or if a medical practitioner considers them to be, addicted to one or more of 14 controlled drugs. These controlled drugs include Heroin, Cocaine, Methadone and Morphine.

This bulletin includes information on:

The number of persons registered at 31 December 2009 and the number of new notifications and removals in 2009; Gender and age of the person registered; Health and Social Care Trusts where registered; Drugs used, injecting behaviour, and duration on Index.

Key Findings

• There were 288 persons registered on the Addicts Index at 31 December 2009, an increase of 7 from 281 persons registered at 31 December 2008.
• There were 228 re-notifications in 2009, compared to 212 in 2008. There were 60 new notifications to the Addicts Index in 2009. Fifty-three cases were removed from the Addicts Index during 2009 for various reasons including ‘death’, ‘addiction ceased’, ‘not resident in Northern Ireland’ or ‘whereabouts unknown’.
• The gender profile in 2009 is similar to that in 2008 where 81% of addicts were male in 2009 and 83% in 2008. The age profile was also similar, with 24% of registered addicts being aged 29 years and under in 2009, compared to 25% in 2008.
• Heroin was the most frequently used notifiable drug, reported by 80% of all addicts registered at 31 December 2009. Methadone (22%) and cocaine (5%) remain the next most commonly reported drugs.
• In 2009, 55% of those registered addicts whose injecting behaviour was known reported currently injecting. This is an increase from 51% in 2008.
• Of the 288 addicts on the Index, 21% (60) were registered within the last year, 52% (150) have been registered for between one and five years and 27% (78) have been registered for between six and 20 years.

Notes to editors:

1. This information was collated by the Public Health Information and Research Branch (PHIRB) on behalf of the DHSSPS.

2. The Addicts Index Statistical Bulletin will be published on an annual basis. The next publication is scheduled for 3 March 2011.

3. This publication is also available online:

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4. Media queries to DHSSPS Information Office on 02890 520074, or out of hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.