New drug treatment cases down 31%

The Department of Health has reported a significant fall in the number of new cases seeking treatment for drug problems in the Greater Dublin Area.

In a report published today, the department's Health Research Board said the number of new cases presenting for treatment had fallen by 31% between 1998 and 2002.

It said the total number of people receiving treatment had actually increased by 23% over this period, but most of these people were either returning to or continuing in treatment.

The Health Research Board also reported a significant shift in the patterns of people seeking treatment.

It said the total numbers seeking treatment in Dublin city had declined by around 50% between 1998 and 2002, while the numbers seeking treatment in areas like Dun Laoghaire and Bray had increased by 73%.