Speaking at the third meeting of the assembly on Saturday, Mr Reid said more than one person dies every day in Ireland directly due to drugs use further reinforcing Ireland’s status as having one of the highest per capita rates of drugs deaths in Europe. He said such statistics are a strong reminder to assembly members of the urgent need to produce meaningful and effective recommendations that will help reduce the devastating harm caused by illicit drugs use. Mr Reid commented, "The HRB statistics show that it is not only heroin that is a key factor in these deaths but also methadone, powder cocaine, crack cocaine, benzodiazepines and other prescription drugs. Poly-drug use is clearly a huge part of the problem, and dual diagnosis seems to feature in half of the deaths. When the problem is shifting rapidly we need equivalent change in our approach to national policy and delivery of necessary services.

Source: Irish Independent June 24, 2023 22:41 UTC