Ireland second for drug-related deaths

IRELAND has the second highest number of drug-related deaths in the European Union, according to a report.

Ireland has 68 deaths per million people, more than three times the EU average (21). Estonia has by far the highest rate (146). In western Europe, rates range from 8 per million in France, 12 in the Netherlands, 14 in Germany and 58 in Britain.

The 2011 annual report of the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, (EMCDDA) found that data for drug-related deaths in most countries are underestimated.

The National Drug-Related Death Index in Ireland, compiled by the Health Research Board (HRB), is considered to be comprehensive and may be a factor in why Ireland has one of the highest figures.

There were 3,465 deaths from drugs between 1998 and 2007. Some 2,120 deaths were due to poisonings, due to the toxic effects of the drugs. A further 1,345 deaths were non-poisonings and were due to trauma, such as violence or accidents, and medical causes, such as heart and respiratory problems. Three-quarters of poisonings were due to opiates (including heroin) or opiates in conjunction with other drugs.

The report said it was difficult to explain why deaths were increasing in some countries, given reductions in injecting and increases in the numbers in treatment — both of which have occurred in Ireland.

It said possible reasons include higher levels of polydrug use (use of more than one drug at the same time), high-risk behaviour, increasing numbers relapsing after leaving prison or treatment and ageing users.

Using data previously published, the Emcdda said Ireland continued to have the highest annual prevalence of problem opiate (mainly heroin) use in the EU, at seven cases per 1,000. Our rate compares to around 1.5 cases per 1,000 in the Netherlands and Germany and around 6 per 1,000 in Italy.

The HRB said 55% of problem opiate users were in treatment in 2007, similar to the average EU rate.

It said average waiting time for treatment was between two and six weeks in Dublin and between one month and two years in the rest of the country.

The report said there was a possibility that heroin availability was reducing in Europe and there was rising concern over synthetic opiates, many of which are legally used in pain relief (such as morphine and fentanyl) or treatment (such as buprenorphine).

Last August the biggest heroin haul in four years was made with the seizure of 12.5kg in Kildare.