Sharp rise in ecstasy and cannabis use as alcohol sales increase

Ecstasy and cannabis use is rising sharply in many parts of the country, particularly among young people, regional figures from a national drugs survey show.

Separate data from the Revenue Commissioners indicate a rise in alcohol consumption with increases of between 4% and 9% in excise duty paid on alcohol in 2016.

The National Drug Prevalence Study shows that current use of cannabis and ecstasy has doubled, or more, among young people in six out of the 10 regions.