Two deaths a day linked to drugs

The number of drug users who have died by hanging has more than doubled over the last nine years, official figures show.

More than half of all such hangings and other trauma deaths, including drownings and falls, involved people with a mental illness.

A report by the Health Research Board shows that more than a third of addicts who died directly from the toxic effects of drugs (poisonings) also had a history of mental illness.

HRB chief executive Graham Love said there were 633 drug-related deaths in 2012, averaging out at almost two per day. He said this was four times the number of road deaths in 2012 (162).

The National Drug-Related Deaths Index 2012 figures show there were 350 poisonings and 283 non-poisoning deaths, including trauma and medical causes.

The index, for the first time, highlighted the relationship between drug deaths and mental health.

“Our data shows that one in three people who died had a history of mental illness and this rose to one in every two deaths when you look at trauma alone,” said Ena Lynn, HRB researcher.

Figures show:

- More than half of 138 trauma deaths (52%) involved people with a mental illness;

- 72 of the deaths were hangings, up from 53 in 2010 and 30 in 2004;

- Half of all trauma deaths were people aged 29 or younger (13 aged between 15-19 and 17 aged 20-24);

- Of the 350 poisoning deaths, 129 (37%) involved people with a history of mental illness.

Ms Lynn said cannabis and cocaine were the most common drugs used by those who hanged themselves. Colleague Suzi Lyons said it was rare that cannabis was implicated by coroners in leading to the deaths.

“One thing that strikes me is the preponderance of mental health problems in these deaths,” said Eamon Keenan, consultant psychiatrist in substance misuse.

He said the 2006 mental health blueprint, Vision for Change, had recommended placing addiction services outside mental health.

“That is being revisited and should be revisited, because this shows that mental health problems are significantly associated with substance misuse,” said Dr Keenan. “The Government needs to recognise that.”

Citywide Drugs Crisis Campaign said the findings were “stark evidence” of the need for greater co-ordination between mental health and addiction services.

“There’s a huge chasm between mental health services and addiction services,” said Citywide co-ordinator Joan Byrne. “It’s extremely difficult to access mental health services if you have an addiction issue.”

A HSE spokeswoman said suicide preventative strategies included “encouraging those experiencing emotional difficulties to seek help, ensuring that appropriate help is available in a timely and appropriate manner and empowering communities to support those who are experiencing emotional difficulties”.

She said the National Office for Suicide Prevention’s campaign, Little Things, signposts people to a one-stop-shop for mental health, www.yourmentalhealth.ie and the Samaritans freephone number 116123.