Ireland tops EU for use of new psychoactive drugs

Ireland has the highest use of new synthetic drugs in Europe, with consumption levels three times the EU average, according to the UN.

The United Nations drugs agency, however, said the effects of Irish laws aimed at addressing the problem “seem encouraging” and “could halt” the trend.

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime said new psychoactive substances (NPS) were “proliferating at an unprecedented rate” across the world and posed “unforeseen public health” effects.