The bulletin, published by the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, reports on information collected through the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database (DMD), which was established in April 2000.
Summary:
In Northern Ireland during 2007/08:
- 1,984 individuals presented for treatment and gave their consent for their details to be included in the DMD. This is compared to 1,464 the year before, an increase of 520 individuals or 36%.
- The majority (69%) of individuals that presented were male; almost one quarter (23%) were aged 21 years and under.
- Cannabis was the most commonly reported main drug of misuse; it was reported by 35% of individuals in 2007/08 compared to 46% in 2006/07.
- Benzodiazepines were the second most commonly reported main drug of misuse; they were reported by 31% of individuals in 2007/08 compared to 14% in 2006/07.
- Cocaine (including crack cocaine) was the third most commonly reported main drug of misuse; it was reported by 10% of individuals in 2007/08 compared to 11% in 2006/07.
- Heroin was reported as the main drug of misuse by 8% of individuals in 2007/08 compared with 10% in 2006/07. Nearly three quarters (73%) of those that presented for treatment in 2007/08 and reported heroin as their main problem drug, had been treated before.
- The proportion of individuals that had ever injected decreased to 10% in 2007/08 from 14% in 2006/07.
Notes to Editors:
1. This information was collated by the Public Health Information and Research Branch (PHIRB) of the DHSSPS.
2. A problem drug user is defined as a person who experiences social, psychological, physical or legal problems (related to intoxication and/or regular excessive consumption and/or dependence) as a consequence of their own use of drugs or chemical substances.
3. Drugs are defined as any drug, whether prescribed or not, including solvents and tranquillisers but excluding alcohol and tobacco.
4. The bulletin presents information on the profile of service users; drugs misused by those that presented for treatment; individuals’ previous history of treatment; injecting and sharing by drug users; and previous history of testing for viruses such as HIV and Hepatitis.
5. Participation in the DMD is voluntary and individuals have to give consent to their data being included. Information relating to 2,140 individuals that presented to drug misuse treatment services was received: in 1,984 cases (93%) individual consent was given for including data within the DMD. Analyses are based on these 1,984 individuals.
6. This is the seventh bulletin reporting on information collected through the Northern Ireland DMD. The next publication is scheduled for 6 October 2009.
7. This publication is available online at: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research/public_health/statistics_and_research-drugs_alcohol-2.htm
8. Additional Information is available from:
Public Health Information and Research Branch Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety Annex 2 Castle Buildings Stormont Belfast BT4 3SQ Telephone: 028 9052 2520 Fax: 028 9052 3288E-mail: PHIRB@dhsspsni.gov.uk
9. Media enquiries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 2841. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.
