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AN AVERAGE OF one person dies from a drug overdose every day, according to new figures on drugs-related deaths in Ireland.
The statistics from the Health Research Board also found that the number of people who have died from misuse of cocaine has more than halved in just four years.
A total of 23 people died after using cocaine in 2011, compared to a peak of 66 deaths in 2007, as the Celtic Tiger came to a crashing halt.
Altogether 607 people had drug-related deaths in Ireland in 2011, the most recent year for which figures are available. Of these, 60 per cent (365, or one per day) were due to overdoses. The remaining 242 deaths among drug users were caused by trauma, such as road traffic collisions, or medical causes such as liver disease.
365 deaths by overdosing
Almost two thirds of people who died from overdoses were male, with a median age of 39.
The Health Research Board said there has been a “considerable” increase in the number of deaths involving prescription medication. It also said that alcohol, alone or in combination with other drugs, continues to be one of the main reasons for death by poisoning.
Alcohol was involved in more than one third of poisoning deaths, more than any other drug, and was solely responsible for 17 per cent of the overdosing deaths.
“It is disappointing to see an increase in poisoning deaths in 2011, as the three preceding years all recorded an overall decrease in these deaths,” said Dr Suzi Lyons, a senior researcher at the HRB.
More than half of the overdose deaths involved at least one drug. After alcohol, the most commonly found drugs in polydrug use were diazepam, methadone and anti-depressant medication.
“Our data shows that it is the use of these medications together that is frequently contributing to the death,” said Dr Lyons.
Methadone was implicated in the deaths of 113 people, almost double the figure from the previous year, which the HRB said needed to be investigated. However deaths from heroin have continued to decline, falling from 72 in 2010 to 60 in 2011.
242 non-poisoning deaths
Of the deaths which were indirectly attributed to drug use, 122 were caused by trauma and 125 were due to medical reasons.
Of the trauma deaths, hanging was the most common cause of death, accounting for more than half of the fatalities, followed by road traffic collisions.
The most common medical causes of death were cardiac events and liver disease.
Dr Lyons of the HRB said that mental health issues were likely to have been at the root of many of the deaths.
“The decrease in non-poisoning deaths is overshadowed by the large proportion of hangings occurring in 2011,” said Dr Lyons.
“This finding, in conjunction with the frequency that benzodiazepines and anti-depressant medication are implicated in poisoning deaths, would indicate that a proportion of both poisoning and non-poisoning cases may have had mental health problems, as well as problem drug issues”.
“The evidence in this report supports the need for increased awareness of people with mental health issues attending addiction services”.
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Sure it’s just a bit of craic. Although sometimes I don’t know why people bother. Like on this site anytime Northern Ireland is even mentioned in an article you can take it as a given that the same old pointless pissing match will ensue in the comments section.
Yeah between those who support violence and those who oppose it.
Yeah but when you’re bored mention NI and watch the fun.
Stop mentioning it so.. I’m only here to see Mister Fantastic setting red thumb records every day…keep up the shite work,you’re doing awful..
It’s just another of walter mittys (rodgers) accounts.
Mister Fantastic cannot be Richard ,Mike … Where’s Saul when I need him ..
I’ll be 74 years old in September. This website has brought so much highlight to my twilight. I feel like I’m 20 again.
Keep up the good work!
Adebayo
And here I thought theJournal.ie commenter were a representative cross section of society…
Whatever gave you that idea?
No i don’t -
Only when Richard Rodgers or KKK are on the Fascist prowl !!!!!!!!
Does it ever embarrass you that SF support is only ever strong in anonymous, online forums. All those multiple troll accounts still only count as one vote each in real life – hence 85% of people not voting for SF in the last local election!
“SF support is only ever strong in anonymous, online forums. ”
Yep, thats why they’re the only party with elected MEPS in each constituency in the country, and have between doubled and tripled their elected council representatives in the last local elections, because they only have strong support in online forums….
Doubling and tripling f**l all is still f**k all.
There’s old Buddhist legend which goes as follows: Imagine a mountain, 10 miles high, 10 miles wide. Every 10,000 years a rook sharpens his beak on the top of the mountain and flies away. When the mountain has been worn down Sinn Fein will be ready to enter government.
Will all yee stop piggybacking off my comment please -
@James: Why? It wasn’t very interesting before.
Because you lot are talking bollox
@James: Seems like a natural extension of your comment then.
On an unrelated topic – Maybe if you spent a little less time cavorting with Madam Palm and her five daughters, you’d be a little more alert.
And the highest Vote of any Political Party in the 32 Counties of Ireland too !
Mister Fantastic – your views are only fantastic – if they were only factual – they would be even more fantastic – now that’s fantastic – isn’t it ?
Ciarraioch, jesus it shows how desperate SF is now if they have to start adding the votes from two different countries. Sure let’s bring China into this while we’re at it. Oh no I guess the communist party has won again.
Why would you take the votes in another country where none of the other parties ran for an election which wasn’t held in that country? Is this how SF is planning to do our Budgets? Well yeah we f**ked up and the country is in massive debt with poor international investment and rising unemployment. But sure when you add in northern ireland it all looks amazing!
Ogra Sinn Fein paint post boxes green in Northern Ireland. They’re nearly a parody of themselves.
When you think about it – former Royail Mail post boxes painted green are a parody of themselves. And yet we still have so many of them.
Only idiots comment on a forum like the Journal.
Oh, wait…
I’m managing to comment less than I used to. So hopefully I’m becoming less idiotic!
The best comments are often by people who don’t comment regularly and who just contribute their own experience to a particular story. Pity there is no filter just for those comments!
Occasionally but always regrettably
Regrettably for those reading your comments also.
Applies to your’s aswell Mister.
Norman, I am really surprised at you writing ‘aswell’.
Draws them out Patrick.
I nearly have a bet that our good buddy Patrick was the first person to comment ever on the Internet.
That would explain the general poor quality of thought in comment sections, they give a platform to those with shout loudest and think least. I’m looking at supporters of one political party in particular.
How does one “shout” in the written format?
YOU TELL ME
Still can only read your nonsensical reply, no sound.So again how does one shout in the written format?
Ha.
Never
Long time reader,
First time commenting……
It beats trying to get a letter published in the IT, seems to be reserved for those who know someone on the inside judging by the frequency some names get published.
Maybe try saying something interesting next time. You never know.
@misterfantastic as I have stopped buying the IT some years ago I am not going to waste my time, prefer this platform instead.
It’s not the worst minority to be a part of
Oh yeah and most people that complete these surveys always tell the truth. They the same spoofers that say they don’t have a telly.
Obviously didn’t ask anyone here so.
Only lunatics comment online.
Sponge monkeys flogle
I never comment on anything online.
Some people just shouldn’t ….. eyes roll up lol
I sincerely doubt that “lol” you claim to have done.
If you have snapchat I’d gladly send you a lol ….
Never! Wait.
Moriarity is that you?
Empty vessel, is that you?
No it’s not. I’ll leave you guessing:):)
Yup.
Look closely at the picture. It says “RT yup”!
Well having two i’s on the keyboard would be a bit redundant.
There is no “I” in “the keyboard”
i’d never comment on these things but then I’m over 45
Also hard to post using a 2006 version of internet explorer I’d imagine.
Pity the graphic is unreadable. Ongoing issue on this app.
Yes I do, but no-one listens
I think it depends on the sites a person frequents.
Youtube is terrible for comments recently. The only people who seem to comment are those against whatever the video in question is saying. and then a handful of people defend the point leaving an endless circle or debate. Mixed into that you get some people with strong or radical views posting the same messages on every video related to that topic.
I think it’s fair to say that those responding here are not a representative sample.
have your say