Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 June 2016
484. Deputy Jack Chambers asked the Minister for Health if the number of opiate users in County Dublin has decreased over the lifetime of the national drugs strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16067/16]
View answerThe HSE maintains the Central Treatment List, which is a register of all clients in receipt of methadone maintenance treatment for problem opiate use in Ireland. However, the information sought by the Deputy is not available as only individuals who come into contact with drug treatment services are recorded.
Obtaining a reliable view of the extent of illicit drug use in the population can be difficult, because opiate users in particular are largely a hidden population due to the illegal nature of their activity. There is currently no up-to-date estimate of the prevalence of opiate users in Ireland. However, the Deputy may wish to note that the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol plans to release results of its research to estimate the prevalence of opiate use in Ireland before the end of the year. This report will provide an estimate for 2014.
