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Source: DHSSPSNI, 25 June 2008

DRUG USE IN NORTHERN IRELAND AND THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND 2006/2007

The Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety today published a Statistical Bulletin presenting further key findings at a local level from the second Drug Prevalence Survey.

The Bulletin, ‘Drug Prevalence Survey: Health and Social Services Board (Northern Ireland) & Regional Drug Task Force (Ireland) Results’, was published jointly with the National Advisory Committee on Drugs in the Republic of Ireland.

It relates to a survey carried out jointly in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland between October 2006 and May 2007. First Results from the 2006/2007 Drug Prevalence Survey were published in January 2008.

Key Findings

The key findings relating to drug prevalence in the Health and Social Services Board areas in Northern Ireland in 2006/07 are:

• Among all adults aged 15-64 years, lifetime prevalence rates for any illegal drugs were 20% in the WHSSB, 22% in the SHSSB, 25% in the NHSSB and 37% in the EHSSB.
• Last year prevalence rates for any illegal drugs were as follows: 7% in both the NHSSB and the SHSSB; 8% in the WHSSB; and 13% in the EHSSB.
• Last month prevalence rates for any illegal drugs were 2% in both the NHSSB and WHSSB, 4% in the SHSSB and 6% in the EHSSB.
• Cannabis was the most commonly used illegal drug in all HSSB areas across all time periods.
• Generally, prevalence rates for other illegal drugs were considerably lower than the rates for cannabis use in all HSSB areas.
• The profile of illegal drug users was similar across all HSSB areas: in general men were more likely than women, and young adults were more likely than older adults, to use any illegal drugs.

Comparisons between 2002/03 and 2006/07:

• In the EHSSB, lifetime prevalence rates for any illegal drugs increased from 23% to 37%, and for cannabis use from 19% to 32%.
• Also in the EHSSB, last year use of any illegal drugs increased from 7% to 13% (all adults), from 11% to 18% (males) and from 13% to 23% (young adults).
• Lifetime use of cocaine among all adults increased in HSSB areas.
• Last year use of cocaine among all adults increased in the EHSSB, NHSSB and WHSSB areas.

This publication is also available online at: http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/index/stats_research/public_health/statistics_and_research-drugs_alcohol-2.htm

Additional information is available from:

Public Health Information and Research Branch
Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety
Annex 2
Castle Buildings
Stormont
Belfast BT4 3SQ
Telephone: 028 9052 2520
Fax: 028 9052 3288
E-mail: phirb@dhsspsni.gov.uk

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