Drug-use levels broadly stable over last five years

A new study on drug use in Ireland shows that current levels of illegal drug use were mainly stable over the last five years.

According to a survey by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs, the overall prevalence rate for of any illegal drug last year was 7%, compared to 7.2% in 2006.

Cannabis continues to be the most commonly used illegal drug, with 25% of respondents having ever used the drug.

Some 6% reported having used cannabis in the last year and 3% in the last month.

New psychoactive substances and cocaine were reported as being the next most widely used illicit drugs.