25 June 2008 - Drug use in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland 2006/2007

The Bulletin, ‘Drug Prevalence Survey: Health and Social Services Board (Northern Ireland) & Regional Drug Task Force (Ireland) Results’, was published jointly with the National Advisory Committee on Drugs in the Republic of Ireland.

It relates to a survey carried out jointly in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland between October 2006 and May 2007.

Key Findings

The key findings relating to drug prevalence in the Health and Social Services Board areas in Northern Ireland in 2006/07 are:

• Among all adults aged 15-64 years, lifetime prevalence rates for any illegal drugs were 20% in the WHSSB, 22% in the SHSSB, 25% in the NHSSB and 37% in the EHSSB.
• Last year prevalence rates for any illegal drugs were as follows: 7% in both the NHSSB and the SHSSB; 8% in the WHSSB; and 13% in the EHSSB.
• Last month prevalence rates for any illegal drugs were 2% in both the NHSSB and WHSSB, 4% in the SHSSB and 6% in the EHSSB.
• Cannabis was the most commonly used illegal drug in all HSSB areas across all time periods.
• Generally, prevalence rates for other illegal drugs were considerably lower than the rates for cannabis use in all HSSB areas.
• The profile of illegal drug users was similar across all HSSB areas: in general men were more likely than women, and young adults were more likely than older adults, to use any illegal drugs.

Comparisons between 2002/03 and 2006/07:

• In the EHSSB, lifetime prevalence rates for any illegal drugs increased from 23% to 37%, and for cannabis use from 19% to 32%.
• Also in the EHSSB, last year use of any illegal drugs increased from 7% to 13% (all adults), from 11% to 18% (males) and from 13% to 23% (young adults).
• Lifetime use of cocaine among all adults increased in HSSB areas.
• Last year use of cocaine among all adults increased in the EHSSB, NHSSB and WHSSB areas.

Notes to Editors:

1. The main focus of the survey was to obtain prevalence rates for illegal drugs, such as cannabis, ecstasy, cocaine and heroin, on a lifetime (ever used), last year (recent use) and last month (current use) basis. Similar prevalence questions were also asked for alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs (e.g. tranquillisers); attitudinal and demographic information was also sought from respondents.
2. The questionnaire and methodology for this survey were based on best practice guidelines drawn up by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). The questionnaires were administered through face-to-face interviews with respondents aged between15-64 normally resident in households in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
3. Fieldwork for the survey was carried out between October 2006 and May 2007 and the final achieved sample was 6,969 (4,967 in the Republic of Ireland and 2,002 in Northern Ireland). The response rate for the survey was 65% in the Republic of Ireland and 62% in Northern Ireland.
4. To maximise its representativeness of the general population the achieved sample was weighted by gender, age and former Health Board Area in the Republic of Ireland; and gender, age and Health and Social Services Board area in Northern Ireland.
5. The first Drug Prevalence Survey was conducted in 2002/2003. When comparing the findings from the 2002/03 and 2006/07 surveys, only those changes that are statistically significant at least at the 5% level are reported.
6. First Results from the 2006/2007 Drug Prevalence Survey were published in January 2008.
7. This publication is also available online at the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety website
   
   
   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 3288
   E-mail: phirb@dhsspsni.gov.uk
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