Menu
10/10/2006
NI drugs misuse database releases statistics
A Statistical Bulletin detailing information on problem drug users presenting to specialist drug treatment services in Northern Ireland in the year ending March 31 2005 has been published today.
The bulletin, which was 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.
The report covered statistics throughout a twelve month period, ending on March 31 2006, during which 1,666 individuals presented for treatment gave their consent for their details to be included in the Drug Misuse Database (DMD).
This compared to 1,746 the year before, a decrease of 80 individuals or 5%.
The majority, 72% of users presenting were male; over one third or 36% of users were in their twenties, and just under a third, 29% were aged under 20.
Cannabis was the most commonly reported main drug of misuse, with 49% reporting it as their drug of choice in 2005/06, compared to 46% the year before.
10% of those interviewed reported heroin as their main drug of misuse in 2005/06 compared to 14% in 2004/05, with over three-quarters – 77% of those presenting for treatment with heroin as the main problem, had been treated before.
The proportion of individuals who had ever injected had fallen to 13% in 2005/06 from 17% the previous year.
The proportion who reported cocaine as their main drug increased from 7% in 2004/05 to 9% in 2005/06, with the use of benzodiazepines increasing from 10% in 2004/05 to 14% in the following period.
(EF/KMcA)
The bulletin, which was 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.
The report covered statistics throughout a twelve month period, ending on March 31 2006, during which 1,666 individuals presented for treatment gave their consent for their details to be included in the Drug Misuse Database (DMD).
This compared to 1,746 the year before, a decrease of 80 individuals or 5%.
The majority, 72% of users presenting were male; over one third or 36% of users were in their twenties, and just under a third, 29% were aged under 20.
Cannabis was the most commonly reported main drug of misuse, with 49% reporting it as their drug of choice in 2005/06, compared to 46% the year before.
10% of those interviewed reported heroin as their main drug of misuse in 2005/06 compared to 14% in 2004/05, with over three-quarters – 77% of those presenting for treatment with heroin as the main problem, had been treated before.
The proportion of individuals who had ever injected had fallen to 13% in 2005/06 from 17% the previous year.
The proportion who reported cocaine as their main drug increased from 7% in 2004/05 to 9% in 2005/06, with the use of benzodiazepines increasing from 10% in 2004/05 to 14% in the following period.
(EF/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
29 November 2024
New Pharmacy First Service To Ease Winter Pressures
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of a new 'Pharmacy First for Sore Throat' service, which will be available in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland from 1 December 2024. The service will offer advice, assessment, and treatment for people aged five and over who are suffering from a sore throat.
New Pharmacy First Service To Ease Winter Pressures
Health Minister Mike Nesbitt has announced the launch of a new 'Pharmacy First for Sore Throat' service, which will be available in community pharmacies across Northern Ireland from 1 December 2024. The service will offer advice, assessment, and treatment for people aged five and over who are suffering from a sore throat.
18 November 2024
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
69-Year-Old Extradited From Spain To Face Child Abuse Charges
A 69-year-old man has been extradited from Spain to stand trial Northern Ireland for child-related sexual offences that occurred in the mid-1980s and early 1990s.
26 November 2024
All NI Schools To Have Defibrillators By End Of Academic Year
All schools in Northern Ireland will be provided with life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) by the end of the current academic year.
All NI Schools To Have Defibrillators By End Of Academic Year
All schools in Northern Ireland will be provided with life-saving Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) by the end of the current academic year.
28 January 2004
Former ‘Drugs Tsar’ to deliver City Hall seminar
Keith Hellawell, the former UK government ‘drugs tsar’ will be the keynote speaker at a forthcoming seminar about the impact changes in the legislation relating to drugs classification at Belfast City Hall. Mr Hellawell famously resigned his position in June 2002, in protest at the government’s stance on changes in drugs legislation.
Former ‘Drugs Tsar’ to deliver City Hall seminar
Keith Hellawell, the former UK government ‘drugs tsar’ will be the keynote speaker at a forthcoming seminar about the impact changes in the legislation relating to drugs classification at Belfast City Hall. Mr Hellawell famously resigned his position in June 2002, in protest at the government’s stance on changes in drugs legislation.
20 June 2019
Man Jailed For Drugs Offences
A Newtownabbey man has been handed a custodial sentence for a series of drugs offences following police raids as part of a paramilitary probe. 49-year-old William Axon will serve two years imprisonment, half in custody and half on licence.
Man Jailed For Drugs Offences
A Newtownabbey man has been handed a custodial sentence for a series of drugs offences following police raids as part of a paramilitary probe. 49-year-old William Axon will serve two years imprisonment, half in custody and half on licence.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A very mild, but mostly cloudy day, although with some bright or sunny spells. It will be mostly dry in the morning, but a little patchy light rain or drizzle at times in the afternoon. Maximum temperature 14 °C.Tonight:A band of heavier rain will move east during the evening before clearing eastwards after midnight. then mostly dry through the early hours, but a little rain towards dawn. Minimum temperature 8 °C.
