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Sunday 2 April 2023 Dublin: 8°C

# Drug use

This year
2023
Voices
Opinion: The Greek model of responding to drug use is worth keeping an eye on
Tony Duffin of Ana Liffey project and his long-time friends, Dr Brian Melaugh and Dr Austin O’Carroll visited Athens to see how drug use is handled there.
# drug taking
Simon Harris: 'Direct link between snorting a line and murder, assault, criminality and misery'
The Justice Minister told the Dáil that casual drug use was far from victimless.
Voices
Opinion: We as legislators must be brave and make difficult decisions regarding drug laws
Fianna Fáil’s Paul McAuliffe says we cannot consider drug laws without understanding the trauma behind drug use.
Voices
Opinion: Enough talk - we need to decriminalise the possession of drugs for personal use
Criminologist Dr Ian Marder proposes a paradigm shift away from criminalising drug use and towards a health-led approach.
Last year
2022
Syringe analysis shows increase in methamphetamine use and cocaine-heroin mixture
Heroin was present in nearly all samples, with cocaine in close to 90%.
# Cannabis
Criminalising drug use is 'disastrous' waste of time and money, expert to tell Justice Committee
Dr Garrett McGovern believes Ireland should take a health-led approach to drugs and decriminalise personal use.
# Health Research Board
Report finds one in three young drinkers in Ireland have an alcohol use disorder
The number of young people abstaining from alcohol has increased from 11% in 2002 to 26% in 2019.
# Report
Kinahan cartel linked to at least 20 murders in four EU countries
The EU’s police and drugs agencies say the Kinahan crime group is among Europe’s largest wholesalers of cocaine.
# Addiction
Psychological Society criticises delay in 'vital' citizens' assembly on drugs amid death warning
Senators are due to debate the issue today amid much criticism over this week’s developments.
# citizens assembly
'If cattle were dying, not humans, there would be action': Citizens' assembly on drugs delayed
The delay until 2023 will cost lives, Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said.
Voices
Lynn Ruane: Global drug laws can be traced back to a small group of conserative American men
The independent senator looks back at the influence of powerful US politicians with racist agendas on global drug policies.
# drugs in college
Cocaine now the second-most common drug used by third-level students, new report shows
Cannabis remains the most common drug, but cocaine displaced ecstasy to take the second place spot.
Voices
Opinion: Supervised drug injecting in Ireland – 10 years of advocacy, legislation and delays
2022 should be the year we open Ireland’s first Supervised Injecting Facility, write Tony Duffin of Ana Liffey Drug Project and Eugene McCann of Simon Fraser University
# citizens assembly
Growing expectation of Irish citizens’ assembly on drug use this year
The three coalition parties, before entering Government last year, committed to holding a citizens’ assembly on drug use.
All time
# Dublin
Complaints from people staying in Dublin homeless hostels jump from 34 in 2020 to 122 in 2021
The complaints related to drug use in the facilities, alleged bullying and blood stains on bed sheets.
The complaints related to drug use, alleged bullying and conditions in the facilities, Órla Ryan reports
A number of people reported being harassed or attacked by other residents
One person said the bed covers in their hostel were "covered in blood"
Opinion: Steps were taken to reduce homelessness during Covid - we shouldn't lose momentum
# hcv
People born between 1965 and 1985 should be tested for Hepatitis C, Hiqa recommends
In Ireland, the prevalence of HCV infection is highest amongst those born during this period.
# Crack Cocaine
Numbers seeking treatment for crack cocaine use surges nearly 400% since 2014
The number of women entering treatment for crack cocaine use has increased by almost 80% in two years.
Voices
Opinion: Most young people involved in street-level dealing are among our most vulnerable citizens
Youth worker Eoin Lynagh is part of a group calling for an end to prohibition.
# Drugs
More people are using cocaine and ecstasy, but slightly fewer are using cannabis
Men are more than twice as likely as women to use drugs, according to a new survey.
# Allegations
Complaints of alleged Garda drug use made to new Anti-Corruption Unit
Testing of Garda personnel for controlled drug use is set to commence in the coming months.
# Drug use
How Covid-19 changed drug crime in Ireland
Drug traffickers used rental cars and exploited children as mules during the last year.
# global drug survey
Report finds people use psychedelic drugs to self-medicate for depression, anxiety and trauma
While there is some positive research about their use as treatments, experts say this should always be done under the supervision of a professional.
# Drug use
HSE launches online resources and supports to mark International Overdose Awareness Day
Over 370 people lose their lives in Ireland from drug overdose every year.
# Health
7,500 cases of problem alcohol use were treated in Ireland last year, with an increase in cases involving cocaine
There is already concern around the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on alcohol misuse.
# Drug use
Two Irish jockeys test positive for cocaine
David Simmonson and Cian Cullinan have received bans from the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board.
# problem drug use
Number of cocaine treatment cases doubles in one year with economic recovery deemed as key factor
Cocaine is third on the list of most common drugs on the treatment list, but moving closer to cannabis.
# Drug use
Ministers considering alternative approaches to dealing with drug possession for personal use
A working group was set up last year to consider issues such as the possession of drugs for personal use, and to review other jurisdictions’ drug laws.
# Drug use
Problem cocaine use increases by nearly 100%
Fresh stats reveal a dramatic spike in people seeking help for problem cocaine use.
# Addiction
Cannabis and cocaine are most common drugs used by people seeking treatment for alcohol abuse
There has been a decrease in the number of alcohol dependency cases being treated in recent years, but an increase in their severity.
# Poll
Majority of Irish people believe drug users should be dealt with by health services, not courts
Half of respondents disagreed that their loved ones should be prosecuted for drug use.
# Methadone
'You feel you can't get a job': Methadone users face stigma and isolation, new report finds
The research examines the experiences of 25 people who have been on methadone treatment.
# Merchants Quay
'I started taking drugs when I was 12 ... it was just seen as a cool thing to do'
TheJournal.ie spent a morning this week at Merchant’s Quay Ireland, which provides assistance to homeless people and drug users in Dublin.
# Ireland's drug use
Drug-testing roll out at music festivals and nightclubs to be examined by expert group
Drug-testing is available in a number of other European countries.
# Ana Liffey Drug Project
'They're asking about MDMA, LSD and cocaine': Keeping people drug-safe at Electric Picnic
The Ana Liffey Drug Project is at Electric Picnic this weekend – and it has proved to be a busy few days so far.
# drug report
Young adults in Ireland are taking more MDMA and cannabis than they used to
The latest European Drug Report has been released today.
# Drug use
One in every five young adult deaths in the US is related to opioids
The study found that the percentage of deaths attributed to opioids in the US increased by 292% from 2001 to 2016.
# Drug use
HSE issues drug safety advice to Irish festivalgoers in wake of two deaths in UK
People are being asked to look after themselves and look out for their friends during the festival season.
# Skunk
Grime star Stormzy hits back at Daily Mail for saying his music 'glorifies' cannabis use
The newspaper claimed that grime music is ‘product placement’ for cannabis.
# Skunk
Stormzy has ripped into the Daily Mail for saying his music is 'glorifying' cannabis use
The DM are at it again.
# Focus Ireland
'I was nearly crying when I got accommodation. It's not just my home, it's a home for my children'
Focus Ireland has supported over 14,000 people so far this year who are homeless or at risk of losing their home.