The NACDA was established in response to the drug problem to assist in our continued need to improve our knowledge and understanding of problem drug use.
The goal of the NACDA is to advise the Government on problem drug use in Ireland in relation to prevalence, prevention consequences and treatment based on our analysis and interpretation of research findings.
MONDAY, 19 APRIL 2004
The Minister of State for the National Drugs Strategy, Noel Ahern TD, today (Monday, 19 April) launched results by health board area from the first Drug Prevalence Survey in Ireland. The launch took place in the Ballymascanlon Hotel, outside Dundalk, Co Louth.
This survey was commissioned jointly by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) in Ireland and the Drug and Alcohol Information and Research Unit (DAIRU) in Northern Ireland. A total number of 8,442 people aged 15-64 were surveyed by MORI MRC on behalf of the NACD and DAIRU (4,925 in Ireland and 3,517 in Northern Ireland) between October 2002 and April 2003.
Welcoming this Bulletin, the Minister of State Noel Ahern T.D. said that the survey provided the Government with excellent baseline information on drug prevalence that would be very useful in the context of the ongoing implementation of the National Drugs Strategy.
"Today we are launching the second set of figures from the national drug prevalence survey. The figures in Bulletin 2 give a regional breakdown of drug prevalence in Ireland based on health board areas thus adding significantly to our knowledge and understanding of drug use across the country. This survey confirms the fact that the vast majority of people in Ireland have never used illegal drugs."
"However, the results also highlight the fact that drug use is not confined to our major cities. Drug use is an issue for communities, both urban and rural, throughout the country and the Government are determined to tackle it at every level. The information contained in this Bulletin is particularly timely, as the mid-term review of the National Drug Strategy will take place later this year. I would like to congratulate all those involved in this research, in particular the steering group from the NACD and DAIRU,"
said Minister of State Ahern.
Note
Lifetime prevalence = respondent(s) had ever used a drug
Recent use = respondent(s) used drug in the year prior to the survey
Current use = respondent(s) used drug in the month prior to the survey
In following the EMCDDA model questionnaire, questions on alcohol and tobacco use were also asked and prevalence rates for alcohol and tobacco use are provided in this Bulletin.Interrelationships between substance use as part of poly drug use will be further explored in a future Bulletin.
Dr Mary Ellen Mc Cann, Vice-Chairperson of the NACD speaking at the launch said
"The extent and pattern of drug use in the general population is one of the five key indicators relating to drug misuse produced by the EMCDDA and adopted by Member States under the EU Drug Strategy and Action Plan. It is the role of the NACD to ensure that reliable and comparable data is obtained for the Irish Government, which further enables reporting to the EU. The Drug Misuse Research Division (DMRD) of the Health Research Board, which is the National Focal Point for the EMCDDA has also played a key role in the development, implementation and analysis of this survey."
"This is the second bulletin to be published from the national drug prevalence survey. It provides policy makers, researchers and service providers with a unique insight into the levels of drug prevalence in health board areas across the country."
"The key findings of the research show that cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug. In addition, in almost all health board areas cannabis use is higher among young adults (15-34) than older adults (35-64). The research also indicates that in general, men report higher prevalence rates of drug use than women. And, on a regional basis, drug prevalence rates are higher in the Eastern part of the country."
Bulletin 1 which provided a national picture of drug prevalence in Ireland, Northern Ireland and the island of Ireland was published in October 2003 and is available to download from our website www.nacd.ie or in hard copy from the office.
The NACD was established in July 2000 to advise the Irish Government in relation to the prevalence, prevention, treatment / rehabilitation and consequences of problem drug use in Ireland, based on the analysis of research findings and information. The NACD is overseeing the delivery of a work programme on the extent, nature, causes and effects of drug use in Ireland. The NACD comprises representatives nominated from relevant agencies and sectors, both statutory and non-statutory. The NACD reports to the Minister of State responsible for the National Drugs Strategy. The NACD has published several reports which are available on the website. Further information can be obtained from the website: www.nacd.ie.
The DAIRU was established in May 2001 to develop and manage a programme of information and research work in support of the joint implementation of the Northern Ireland Executive's Drug and Alcohol Strategies, building on previous work to support the Drug Strategy alone. Both strategies highlight the need for detailed information on drug use and drinking patterns and behaviours in order to effectively target policy and practice. DAIRU is also involved in the evaluation of projects and initiatives funded through the Drug Strategy, management and development of the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database and dissemination of available information. DAIRU is located within the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Further information can be obtained from the DHSSPS website: www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/stats&research.
Pat Montague,
Montague Communications,
Tel: +353 1 837 7960
Mobile: +353 87 254 9123
Mr Dave Rogers
Drug and Alcohol Information and Research Unit
Department of Health,
Social Services and Public Safety Annex 2,
Castle Buildings Stormont,
BT4 3UD
Tel: 048 9052 2501