Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 January 2025
1359. Deputy Sorca Clarke asked the Minister for Health how the Government measures the success and effectiveness of addiction services; the measures being taken to track long-term recovery rates; and if data are used to improve addiction services. [46478/24]
View answerIt is a strategic priority under the national drugs strategy to enhance access to and delivery of drug services in the community. There are five actions to support the implementation of the priority in strategic action plan 2023-2024.
The National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) is the national surveillance system that records and reports on cases of drug and alcohol treatment in Ireland. It is compiled annually to provide information on treatment demand and provides important data to allow services to deliver what is required.
NDTRS data for 2023, published by the Health Research Board, shows there were 13,104 cases in 2023 compared to 12,009 in 2022. The data also shows that the percentage of new cases (never treated before) was 36.6%. The majority of cases were treated in outpatient facilities (71.5%), and that cocaine was the most common drug reported in 2023, accounting for 37.6% (4,923) of all cases, a 20.5% increase from 2022 (4,084 cases). Among cases aged 19 years or younger, cannabis was the main drug generating treatment demand.
With regard to treatment outcomes, nearly one-third (29.5%) of cases successfully completed treatment and 12.2% were referred to other drug and alcohol services for continued support. However, 31.8% of cases did not return for subsequent appointments and 14.0% refused further treatment sessions.
Regarding drug prevalence, the Healthy Ireland Survey is an annual survey, conducted with a representative sample of the population aged 15 and older living in Ireland. The Healthy Ireland survey 2023, included, for the first time, a module on drug use prevalence. The data reported that 21% of respondents report lifetime illicit drug use; 7% report illicit drug use in the last year, and 3% report illicit drug use in the last month. The most prevalent illicit drugs used within the last year are cannabis (5.9%), cocaine (1.9%), ecstasy or MDMA (0.8%), magic mushrooms (0.8%) and ketamine (0.4%).
The objective of the National Drug-Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) is to provide high-quality data so that the State can respond in a timely manner with accurate data on drug-induced mortality. The NDRDI records cases of death by drug and/or alcohol poisoning (such as those due to accidental or intentional overdose), and deaths among people who use drugs and those who are alcohol dependent where the death was not due to poisoning (such as those due to hepatitis C and HIV).
The latest available data available for drug related deaths (2021) shows that there were 354 drug-induced deaths recorded in 2021, a decrease from 439 (24%) drug poisoning deaths in 2020 and 375 deaths in 2019.
Budget 2025 provides an additional €4.2m to expand community-based drug and alcohol services to meet increased treatment demand, with a focus on improving access to services in underserved communities, promoting evidence-based innovations in service design and delivery, and meeting the needs of people who use stimulant drugs, and those who have a dual diagnosis. Further information is available here: gov.ie - Minister of State Colm Burke announces additional €40 million in funding for drug and alcohol services and inclusion health (www.gov.ie) (www.gov.ie/en/press-release/70bdf-minister-burke-announces-additional-40m-in-funding-for-drug-and-alcohol-services-and-inclusion-health/).
I am committed to enhancing access to and delivery of drugs services in the community under the national drug strategy.
