Adolescent addiction admissions to rise 70%

A leading addiction service is predicting a 70% jump in admissions to its adolescent centre this year.

Aiséirí treatment service said alcohol was the primary drug of addiction for more than half of all admissions — adolescents and adults combined. It has called on the Government not to cut excise duty on alcohol in next week’s budget.

Chief executive Paul Conlon said admissions among adult women could increase by as much as 64% this year.