Report finds drug use on the increase

A new report shows an increase in the growth of drug use outside of Dublin.

According the Merchants Quay annual review for last year, the Midlands Harm Reduction Outreach service worked with an average of 130 people per month-providing over 3,000 needle exchange interventions during the year.

In Dublin, the service recorded nearly 21,000 client visits - an increase of almost 2,000 from 2011.

The Chief Executive of Merchants Quay Ireland, Tony Geoghegan, has said the figures are concerning.

"I think that is a stark reminder that injective drug use remains a very live and serious issue here in Dublin."