Sharp rise in use of heroin in cities and towns

THERE are an estimated 2,000-plus heroin users outside Dublin, according to the first national study on opiate use.

The sharp rise in the use of heroin in cities and towns poses major challenges for the newly-established Regional Drug Task Forces, which were supposed to be set up more than a year ago. The report commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs found there was an estimated 1,000 fewer heroin users in Dublin in 2001 compared to 1996.

Overall, it puts the estimated number of heroin users in Ireland at 14,452 12,456 in Dublin.

Dr Alan Kelly, from Trinity College Dublin, said the figures were not the result of a survey but a statistical analysis based on three sets of information treatment data, garda figures and hospital statistics and therefore an estimate. The figures for heroin use outside Dublin provides further evidence of a worrying trend in recent years, he said. Last year, the Health Research Board noted major increases since 1996 in six of the seven regional health boards for the number of people being treated for heroin.

Launching the report yesterday, Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy Noel Ahern said he did not know if there was a massive increase in heroin outside Dublin.

"The fact that there are over 2,000 heroin users outside Dublin means that we cannot afford any degree of complacency in tackling the problem." He said the task forces had met at least once and would look at local problems and assess the level of services in those areas.

The setting up of the forces was a key recommendation of the National Drugs Strategy, published in May 2001. In relation to Dublin, the report noted a dramatic increase in the number of female heroin users from 3,117 in 1996 to 4,176 in 2001, a rise of 34%.

This was paralleled by a significant fall in male heroin users from 10,344 in 1996 to 8,268 in 2001, a drop of 20%.

Female heroin users now constitute 36% of all heroin users in Dublin, compared to 23% in 1996.

The figures show an aging of the heroin-using population in Dublin, particularly among males, a trend welcomed by Minister Ahern and the chair of the NACD, Dr Des Corrigan.

Of the male heroin population in Dublin:

* 33% are aged 15-24, compared to 52% in 1996.

* 45% are aged 25-34, compared to 34% in 1996.

* 22% are aged 35-54, compared to 14% in 1996.

Among Dublin female heroin users:

* 42% are aged 15-24, compared to 57% in 1996.

* 43% are aged 25-34, compared to 33% in 1996.

* 15% are aged 35-54, compared to 10% in 1996.