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YOUNG ADULTS IN Ireland are taking MDMA and cannabis significantly more in recent years than they used to, while use of other illegal drugs has dropped.
The latest European Drug Report 2018: Trends and Developments also finds that Ireland has the second highest rate of use of opioids per population.
The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) report looks at trends in drugs use, supply, prevention, enforcement and healthcare solutions across 30 European countries.
In general, the reports finds that in Europe drug availability is high and in some areas appears to be increasing.
Latest figures show that over one million seizures of illicit drugs were reported in 2016 across the EU.
Over 92 million adults in the EU have tried an illicit drug in their lifetimes while an estimated 1.3 million people received treatment for illicit drug use in 2016.
In Ireland, trends show that the use of certain drugs is increasing – particularly among young adults.
In 2015, just under 14% of young adults (age 15-34) reported using cannabis in the last year, compared to about 10% in 2007.
Meanwhile, use of MDMA (also known as ecstasy) has jumped significantly in recent years.
A total of 4.4% of young adults reported using the drug in the last year, compared to 2.6% in 2007. Ireland ranks second in Europe in rate of use of MDMA (behind the Netherlands).
Reported use of cocaine has decreased slightly, while use of amphetamine has also dropped.
High-risk use and offences
Ireland’s rate of high-risk opioid use is also the second highest in Europe, behind the UK.
In Ireland, figures show there are about 19,000 high-risk opioid users. Latest figures for 2015 show that there were 224 deaths from overdose in Ireland.
The drug-induced mortality rate in Ireland was 70 deaths per million in 2015 – over three times the European average and one of the highest on the continent.
Ireland last year launched its new drug strategy, called ‘Reducing harm, supporting recovery: a health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland 2017- 2025′.
This is the first strategy that moves towards an integrated approach to illicit drug and alcohol use – aiming to focus on health rather than justice as means of reducing drug use and harm.
A public consultation was launched last week looking for views on whether drugs should be decriminalised.
In 2016, there were 16,119 drug offences committed in Ireland. A total of 11,486 of these related to possession while just 3,982 had to do with supply.
Tony Duffin of the Dublin-based Ana Liffey Drug Project said that the EMCDDA report showed that for a small country “Ireland continues to have significant issues with drug use”.
“We are criminalising large numbers of people every year, but the evidence from around the world shows that doing so does not significantly reduce the numbers of people who use drugs, but does act as a barrier to support, care and future opportunities.
It is widely acknowledged that drug use is a health issue and not a criminal justice issue – it is one that requires a health based response.
He said the Ana Liffey organisation supports the planned health-led approach to drugs. “Criminalising people who use drugs is stigmatising and unnecessary – we need to respond to possession with health interventions, not criminal sanctions.”
CEO of Merchants Quay Ireland Tony Geoghegan said the high rate of overdose deaths in Ireland was an “awful indictment on society”.
This is an awful indictment of society that so many lives are being lost needlessly. We urgently need the government to increase investment in vital services targeted at high-risk drug users.
Treatment
The report shows that heroin is the most common drug that users seek help for when entering treatment.
For first time-entrants, cannabis was the main drug users sought help for when entering treatment.
The number of people entering treatment for help with cocaine use has also increased.
In 2016, 2,381 people sought treatment for cannabis use; while 3,560 people sought treatment for heroin use.
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Can the same principals we applied to the 8th be used for pretty mild drugs like cannabis particularly.
I will never have a problem again obtaining it regardless of legality and seizures
It’s my own body I’m harming, my choice.
Legalising and taxing not only puts money into the economy, it takes it away from gangsters.
@Jeremiah Dempsey: the problem with that is the so called do gooders will argue it puts extra strain on the hse. Anyway the amount of tax that could potentially be generated would negate any extra resources needed and then some colorado gave its citizens a tax rebate because they’re taking in so much
@Michael Connick: yeah you hear them make the same silly arguments over and over. The carnage caused by booze week in week out gets a free pass for some reason.
This is one of those things that you can already tell future people will look back at us and laugh at how hypocritical and nonsensical it all is
@Jeremiah Dempsey: lobbiest groups are the reason alcohol is still so easily and readily available. There’s a lack of protesting to make weed and others legal or at least decriminalised , I don’t know are people concerned about backing drugs publicly or what but you don’t see marches regularly like you did the 8th. Maybe in time!
@Hardly Normal: it’s not a sexy enough cause yet.
If cannabis was somehow the vice of choice for some supposed oppressed group, you’d have Una Mullally, hashtags o’gorman and gangs of woke men out crying on the streets
That seems like good news, broadly speaking. They’re the two drugs with the most positive behavioural effects and lowest risk. Some education on their responsible use would be welcome, but that seems unlikely.
@Dᴇʀᴇᴋ Wᴀʟsʜ Ⓥ: Summed up perfectly Derek
Alongside psilocybin, these are some of the safest drugs out there, assuming purity. The data is there to show, not only the lack of danger, but possible major benefits for so many issues, psychologically and physiologically. But inexplicably, we continue with the war on drugs, a la US style. Prohibition doesn’t work, it’s like Einstein’s definition of insanity, keep doing the same thing over and over but expecting different results.
@mitchellaneou5: LSD and psilocybin in particular have shown major benefits in depression and PTSD (better and less toxic than antidepressants). They also lead to long lasting benefits in healthy individuals – such as increases in trait openness, introspective capacity, creativity, insight etc. There exist more dimensions or states of mind than are normally accessible to us in our daily lives. Accessing these states of mind helps shed new light on our normal reality allowing us to see the world in a different way. This a good thing and a valuable means of self-improvement when done safely
MDMA use has been widespread in Ireland since the late 80′s and then 90′s also, yet we’re still reading reports on it’s high use..
Nothing has changed!
Let’s regulate it, test what’s out there and take the supply of these drugs out of the hands of criminal toe-rags who mix up the drugs in dirty bath tubs using all sorts of chemicals, Lsd, Ketamine, etc. And earn vast profits to fuel there criminal lifestyles…
I’ve taken both many times and they are both extremely safe. I’ve never had a bad experience with either. Reseach I’ve done on them also backs up my own experience. I’ve had many terrible experiences with alcohol, and would never touch drink again if these were legal. Each to their own I guess. LSD and mushrooms should be legal also.
When Is there going to be a real debate on this issue. A new drugs policy should be very high on the governments agenda and it just seems to get ignored by consecutive governments. Decriminalisation does not go far enough as the thugs will still control supply. Full legalization will save lives and create massive revenue for this country. It’s time to come out of the dark ages. End prohibition
@johnbunton: There is a generational divide on this issue. There’s a lot of ignorance too. When some people think “drugs” what comes to mind is an emaciated junkie shooting up heroin in the local park, mugging old ladies to get their next fix. Its also not intuitive to many people that legalisation or decriminalization can lead to harm reduction – it needs to be explained to people but few public people are willing to put themselves out there on the issue
@Damon16: I agree and it’s another case of politicians themselves being out of touch with reality. Ordinary people need to come out in protest to end this crazy US policy which has taken and destroyed so many lives.
Well of course they are taking more. They used to be children.
I see people are already trying to compare this to the 8th by spouting my body, my choice. Utter rubbish – there is no comparison. I wonder how many of these people have had to deal with patients in hospital who turn up with mental health issues, severely dehydrated, with arrhythmias, severely injured (or having injured someone else), comatose, etc because it was “their choice” to ingest drugs. The resources required to treat these people could never be covered by any tax. The same is true for cigarettes and alcohol. I don’t know what’s more frustrating. The fact that some are so selfish to to think their choices do not impact on others, or that the taxes they pay can and should cover them for every stupid decision they make.
@Philip Kavanagh: as in the abortion argument, it’s happening anyway, why stick our heads in the sand. If it’s regulated there’s less chance of putting dangerous substances in our bodies.
@Philip Kavanagh: Wha? People are going to take it anyways whether anyone likes it or not, at least if tax money is being made it will go to pay for health services and not pay for some criminal’s new villa in Spain!
@Philip Kavanagh: peasants like Phillip will hold us back for some time yet.
I expect to see you calling for alcohol prohibition Phillip.
I smoke it anyway which is the point you’re missing, so why not make me pay some tax on it.
Alcohol is too extreme for me, I prefer something milder like cannabis. Why can’t I choose? I don’t want to take a strong drug like alcohol
@Del Bionic: The same argument is being used by the do- gooder people who seek to control others behaviours. They also seem unable to comprehend that drugs are here and easily obtainable. The do gooders act like we just made cannabis up and banning it will make it go away
@Jeremiah Dempsey: I would never call for prohibition. So please don’t try put words in my mouth and ascribe opinions to me that are completely false. My issue is with people absolving themselves or all responsibility and expecting others to care for them afterwards. I also object to people making completely false statements that the taxes they pay will cover any subsequent treatment required. I believe this is false, however, if you have actual data to the contrary please feel free to share it. Cannabis is milder than alcohol? Your proof please. Finally if you cannot argue your point without sinking to calling people names, then as far as I am concerned, you lose the argument irrespective of what your opinion is.
@Dave Harris: You are accusing me of not seening the reality of the situation? Come and join me for a 12 hour shift in A&E and I will show you the reality of the situation.
@Philip Kavanagh: Did you just ask for proof that cannabis is milder than alcohol?
Do you know anything at all about either of those two things??
You sound like a rather excitable medical professional who thinks their workplace is reflective of the greater world outside.
People don’t come to you UNLESS something is wrong so that is obviously going to skew your opinions on the topic.
You should read a bit.
@Joe Phillips: If you’re so incredulous that I asked for proof that alcohol is more dangerous than cannabis, then the information must be widely available. So feel free to prove me wrong and cite some evidence.
@Philip Kavanagh:
And yet there are more people being treated for abusing prescription drugs rather than cannabis or mmda.
Should we now criminalize them as well?
@Philip Kavanagh: your stance is very confusing Philip, you say you would never call for prohibition? We all know the cost of alcohol to society. If cannabis happened to already be legal you’d be ok with it?
Who said anything about absolving yourself of responsibility. Most people are with alcohol, why would cannabis be any different?
Cannabis IS milder than alcohol, that’s not even up for debate. Why do you say otherwise out of interest?
Your point on taxes ignores the fact cannabis is always readily available, its happening whether you like it or not. All you achieve is forcing people to the gangsters.
You’re most definitely on the wrong side of history on this one brother
@Joe Phillips: A hospital/ER IS reflective of the greater world. It is one of the few places where people from every walk of life end up under the same roof.
@Philip Kavanagh: Tell you what, Philip. Forget reading what anyone else says. Try them for yourself.
Have a night of heavy drinking and gauge its effects on you throughout. Keep detailed notes every step of the way.
Then, the next night, do the same without the booze but with spliffs or brownies.
Then come back and share your findings with us.
@Philip Kavanagh: tell me about these people on cannabis that need to attend A and E Phillip, this ought to be good.
Casualty choc a bloc with pissheads every weekend. You’re a joker
@Philip Kavanagh: No it is not. It’s reflective of everything else, demographically, because everyone’s biological systems are basically the same… but the only people coming through your doors are those having negative experiences. You need to weigh that against those NOT having negative experiences to have any sort of picture of reality.
To put it another way, Philip, you probably encounter a lot more victims of domestic violence than I do. Are you going to invite me to A&E to show me how dangerous being in a relationship can be?
@Philip Kavanagh: The dogs in the street know that alcohol is massively more toxic than cannabis. Which makes me wonder what you do in the A&E, fill the vending machines(?) It’s also common knowledge that alcohol has caused a lot more damage to individual health, society and the economy than cannabis. Stress, and over eating also cause a lot of illness. Everyone I suppose that isn’t a poster child for healthy living should be chastised for the strain they put on the HSE(and it’s vending machine filler uppers).
@Philip Kavanagh: Hi Philip, you asked for medical proof, please see below:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320895.php
https://www.livescience.com/42738-marijuana-vs-alcohol-health-effects.html
It has taken me 2 minutes to pull this information, would suggest that you take some time to educate yourself
I don’t think he’s coming back
@Jeremiah Dempsey: Don’t call me brother. Secondly, provide the proof that cannabis is safer than alcohol. Finally, I’m not engaging with you any further. The fact that you call me a ‘peasant’ and make no attempt whatsoever to apologise for the fact despite being pulled up on it, tells me all I need to know about you and your views.
@Joe Phillips: Firstjy Joe, you haven’t produced any evidence to back up your claim. How about this? You take a few hours out, do a bit of digging on the internet or in a library and find some quality sources that might give your here’say some credibility.
@Philip Kavanagh: “Cannabis is milder than alcohol? Your proof please.”
No proof is needed because everyone knows its much milder, you hardly see stoners kicking each other around in towns at high but we do with drinks.
You go on about working in an A&E but then talk nonsense about weed. I know for a fact you don’t work in any hospital because if you did, you wouldn’t make such ridiculous statements.
@John Flynn: Hi John, Thanks. At least you made an attempt. But anyone can pull anything from the internet. Perhaps educate yourself on the quality of the sources you use rather than just picking out things that back your view.
@Philip Kavanagh: you are a peasant and the ruthless beat down you received in this thread was well deserved.
It’s a shame you never elaborated on these people in casualty on cannabis, an outright lie that warranted the contempt you received
@Philip Kavanagh: I am a nurse of 20 yr experience Phillip, some in drug rehab. So get off your high horse for starters-
@Joe Phillips: Everyone’s biological systems are not “basically” the same. People can experience a huge variance in reactions to the same drug. You need to get your facts straight about biology and genetics.
@Mark Gearey: In that case, you should have no problem providing quality data to prove this? Perhaps spend more than the two minutes John Flynn did googling.
@Mark McDermott: So, people can make any statement they like without backing it up? Thankfully people like you don’t run our country.
@Philip Kavanagh: gang of stoners on here! Yeaman you know wharra mean man…..
@Clever Jake: Reuters? The Independent?! Scientific American? Not so clever, clever jake.
@Dave Harris: So asking for proof of a claim is “being on a high horse”? Not wanting to engage with some who calls you a peasant is being on a “high horse”. Actually, refuting points being put to me (despite the tone and language being used by some of the posters) is being on a “high horse”? You’re a nurse? So if a patient voices a view that may not reflect your own, do you call them things like ‘do-gooder’? And given your experience, you should be able to provide that data I have requested that shows using cannabis is dangerous than alcohol.
@Philip Kavanagh: Ahh you’re just annoying now. You’re wrong, Philip. Sit down and be quiet.
@Philip Kavanagh: how many cannabis overdoses do you have to deal with every week?
@Philip Kavanagh: the info is freely available if youre a medical professional you should know it anyway
@Philip Kavanagh: firstly, you have tried to denigrate any posters credibility as they do not have any sources to back up their claims without doing any research other than your place of work and you have the temerity to question somebody’s own experiences, based on what exactly?
Secondly, when provided with sources, you question their credibility without saying the reason why you think that the quality of the source lacks reliability.
Lastly, what exactly are your personal (not work related) experiences of the aforementioned substances? As a previous commenter above me has pointed out, your work experiences would only ever be negative, given your vocation
@paddy: unless he works in a psychiatric hospital, he hasn’t seen anything in any way related to cannabis. If he works in a psychiatric hospital, he may encounter patients suffering from psychosis and/or schizophrenia and these two conditions are often cited as having connections to sustained cannabis consumption. It’s also arguable that those patients were predisposed to those conditions in the first place with other traits such as poor social skills that mean the person spends a lot of time alone with their thoughts. Cannabis can make you think a bit too much sometimes. I find that myself. So can spending time alone. People need to learn (for themselves) to look after themselves as best they can. They don’t need stupid nonsensical rules of law.
@Joe Phillips: I hope he’s gone now.
@GerryCummins: enlightened input there Gerry, any other pieces of wisdom to impart?
@Philip Kavanagh: Do your own research. Do you even know what point you were trying to make? I don’t. Maybe restate it for us.
@Philip Kavanagh: Philip, what’s the lethal dose of cannabis, how many cannabis related deaths have there been in the last 5yrs? What are its deleterious short and long term effects and in what percentage of users do they occur?
Now answer the same questions for alcohol? should alcohol be banned and if so knowing what we be its effect (drawing from history)
While your at it how many people die every year as a result of obesity related illness? Should we impose dietary restrictions on obese people? Why should my taxes go towards paying for the consequences of other people’s bad choices.
If you can’t answer the above sufficiently then i suggest you re-think your opinions on this matter
@Joe Phillips: yes two heroin addicts in the family neither of which started on alcohol but cannabis. No easy way but legalize is and not over tax it. Just like booze you’ll have people that abuse it but a smaller price to pay than the underworld we allow happen now.
@Noel Falkhall: it’s a good example Noel of why it needs to be removed from the hands of the criminal and placed into state control. The likelihood is that those two people you speak of obtained their drugs from the same dealer and thats how they were exposed to heroine.
Would place a serious question mark over them having not tried alcohol firstly though, it is a drug aswell
Some uk festivals have free and confidential substance testing facilities so people can make an informed decision about what they are about to take .great idea, should be implemented here. Would safe life’s
Cannabis and MDMA are rampant among our youth. I know from first hand experience at parties and get together. They’re readliy available to anyone who wished to foot the bill.
People are going to get their hands on these drugs, whether you like it or not.
There should definitely be more done to regulate and provide people with information on dosing etc.
It will be interesting to see how this continues in the years to come.
Great picture to go with the article there.
Sure you can’t go wrong with a bit of MDMA. If everyone was out of their bin the whole time the world would be lovely.
“drug use ……is not a criminal justice issue”..Wow..Try telling that to the Messitt or Jastines family or many other unfortunate victims of thugs who are out of their heads whilst carrying out those awful atrocities. Not to mention all the other crimes carried out on a daily basis on innocent victims.
@Margate: legalization makes all that go away tomorrow
@Margate: Are you suggesting MDMA, cannabis and the like are associated with more violent or erratic behaviour. If so i suggest you do some research. The opposite is actually true. There are some illicit drugs that cause violent behaviour for sure, but if soft drugs were legalised there would be no market for these types of drugs and the criminal element involved in production, distribution and supply would be eliminated. Drug prohibition creates and perpetuates gang activity.
@Jeremiah Dempsey: it only goes away if supply can keep up with demand and proper regulation and treatment is put into place. This is Ireland and that won’t happen. Different drugs giving different highs will continue to surface and the bad boys will continue to do bad boy sh11t. As the Smiths said, the devil will find work for idle hands to do.
I’d have thought cocaine was more prevailant
@thomas patrick: do you know the price you pay for good coke these days? Nobody can afford that. MD and cannabis are way cheaper and more bargain for your buck.
Not surprised at all. It’s a rare day when I go in to Dublin City centre and don’t smell cannabis. Usually around temple bar or the quays.
It really should be legalised or at least decriminalised already.
The studies on MDMA assisted psychotherapy have been extraordinary and very effective, really starting to take off in the states, again big pharmas are sweating SSRI sales would take a big hit sales are more important than the human beings health, capatilism
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