The European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, EMCDDA, recently launched its annual report for 2003 on the state of the drugs problem in the European Union and Norway.
The report found that after cannabis, amphetamines and ecstasy are the second most commonly used illicit drugs in Europe. In this context, use in Ireland over the last 12 months was reported as high and being just under 5% in the 15 to 34 year old age group. However, the Deputy should note that the data reported in relation to ecstasy use in Ireland is primarily based on the 1998 SLÁN survey.
I recently launched results from the first drug prevalence survey in Ireland. This survey was undertaken jointly by the national advisory committee on drugs, for which my Department has responsibility, and the drug and alcohol information and research unit in Northern Ireland. It provides solid statistical information and up-to-date figures on drug use in Ireland.