The numbers being treated for hard drug abuse in the south-east has soared over the past decade.
New figures also show abuse of drugs and alcohol continues to be a lifelong problem as the age profile of those getting treatment is increasing.
The Health Service Executive (HSE) report named ‘Overview of Drug Misuse’ provides data on drug and alcohol abuse in Waterford, Kilkenny, Wexford, Carlow and South Tipperary.
The dramatic increase in people seeking treatment for the use of heroin and cocaine is the most disturbing finding.
The report shows that:
• Some 2,621 people were either assessed or treated for drug and alcohol misuse last year, which is about double the amount recorded in the first report in 2000.
• This overall figure meant 115 more people entered into treatment in the south-east in 2007 compared with 2006 when 2,506 sought assistance.
• A total of 17pc or 390 people who sought treatment last year did so for heroin or cocaine use. This compares with just 55 people in 2000.
• There was a 2.2pc fall in the numbers asking for treatment for alcohol abuse. However, it remains the biggest problem, accounting for 1,453 of clients treated.
• A total of 276 clients were treated for cannabis misuse, a 2.4pc fall.
• Some 160 children under the age of 18 were treated for alcohol or drug misuse and one of these, a newborn, was treated for addiction at birth.
• Less than half of the people entering drug rehab programmes complete their course.
“The rise in the figures is a combination of extending services, making people aware of the services available and unfortunately a rise in drug use and abuse,” said the co-ordinator of the report, Tony Barden, who is Regional Drug Co-ordinator for the HSE South.
Mr Barden said the figures were influenced by the high-profile deaths of John Grey (23) and Kevin Doyle (21) last year. They died after eating wet cocaine at a party in Waterford.
Aftermath
“We were told from the A&E department in Waterford Regional Hospital that a lot more people turned up in the aftermath. But this was a good thing as the aspect concerning the danger of the drug certainly got through to people,” Mr Bardon added.
The data shows the number of teenagers and people under the age of 30 getting treatment continues to rise, and Mr Bardon said the message was getting through to youngsters.
But the number of people over 30 receiving treatment rose more sharply, meaning the overall age profile is increasing. This is because many people with long-term problems have been in treatment for years and continue to seek help as they get older.
Mr Bardon maintains the percentage of people who complete cocaine addiction treatment programmes is a success in itself.
“We have nearly 40pc that do complete their programmes. We are reasonably happy with the success rate.”
Phil Prendergast, the Labour senator from South Tipperary, said the overall figures offer little comfort.
“Drugs are an escalating social problem in Ireland, associated as they are with violence and gun crime, alcohol abuse and anti-social behaviour.”
