Bernard Allen
Question:290 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Health the number of cases of heroin addiction which were recorded in each of the years between 1988 and 1991.
Written Answers. - Heroin Addiction Statistics.
The Health Research Board have established a drug misuse data base with funding from my Department. The data is confined to the greater Dublin area at present but the intention is to have a national data base as soon as possible. The board compile information on drug misuse using data from a number of sources including the drug treatment services. The system commenced in 1990 and the Health Research Board estimate that 644 persons from the greater Dublin area received treatment for heroin misuse during 1990. The board, from the information available to it, do not consider that there would have been much variation in this figure for the years in question.