I am aware of the report to which the Deputy refers. The research, which was carried out in March 1999, involved the examination of the outcome of the total of 520 inquests which were held during 1998. These inquests related to deaths which occurred between November 1992 and July 1998. The research took account of the coroner's verdicts, toxicology reports and depositional evidence, together with anonymised biographical details.
Of the total number of inquests 108 – 20.76 per cent – were identified as having drugs or alcohol implicated in the death. Twenty eight cases were deemed to have been predominantly alcohol related and were eliminated. A further ten cases were eliminated as suicides or possible suicides. Of the remaining 70 cases benzodiazepines were implicated in 68.5 per cent – 48 – of cases. In a number of cases there was evidence of polydrug use, most commonly a cocktail of heroin and or methadone, benzodiazepines, alcohol and/or cannabis.
The report shows that drug misusers will turn to a range of drugs to feed their habit and that the treatment of such patients needs to be carried out carefully, with appropriate training and with the support of consultants in drug misuse or doctors who have expertise in this area.
Benzodiazepines are controlled drugs which are only available on prescription from medical practitioners. In common with a number of other countries the use of prescription medicines has increased over the years in Ireland. In some cases this is due to the introduction of new medicines which have proven effective in the treatment of severe pain and other ailments. I am aware, however, of concern about over-prescribing of certain controlled drugs. Under the Misuse of Drugs Acts, 1977 and 1984, I have the authority to curtail or prohibit the prescribing or supply of controlled drugs by medical practitioners or pharmacists, where a need for such curtailment or prohibition is indicated.