Four-fold increase in heroin use outside ERHA area

The Health Research Board has reported a four-fold increase in the number of people seeking treatment for drugs like heroin outside the area covered by the Eastern Regional Health Authority.

In a report published today, the board said the rate had increased from 2.0 per 100,000 of the 15 to 64-year-old population in 1998 to 8.3 in 2002.