AN increase in the number of drug-related deaths within Dublin’s Drug Task Force areas has led to calls for greater resources to tackle the problem.
According to the latest statistics released by the Health Research Board for 2011, there were 105 drug-related deaths in the capital, an increase of five on the previous year.
The number of drug-related deaths in the State increased from 597 in 2010 to 607 in 2011. Over the eight-year period, from 2004 to 2011, 4,606 people died directly or indirectly as a result of drug use.
“The statistics released by the Health Research Board make grim reading,
? said Sinn Féin’s Ballyfermot/Drimnagh representative, Daithà Doolan.
“This is a huge number of citizens dead and thousands of families and communities bereaved and in crisis. It underlines the need for the drugs crisis to be a political priority once again.
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Mr Doolan, who is a member of the D12 Local Drugs Task Force, said he sees at first hand the need and benefits of cooperation and integration.
“Here in Dublin we see drug services stretched to the limit with funding cut year after year as they attempt to deal with growing numbers.
“The drugs crisis is a growing problem in our communities and these numbers prove that.
“These statistics and the numbers of deaths involved must focus the Government on the need for greater investment to improve services, develop effective programmes and save lives.
“The policy of cutting funding for drug services is unacceptable and must be reversed as a matter urgency.
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Alcohol has been implicated as the number one killer, as it was involved in 37 per cent of poisoning deaths in 2011, more than any other drug.
Dr Suzi Lyons, Senior Researcher at the Health Research Board, said it was disappointing to see an increase in poisoning deaths in 2011, as the three preceding years all recorded an overall decrease.
“Alcohol, alone or in combination with other drugs, continues to be one of the main reasons for poisoning deaths,
? Dr Lyons said.
“Also of concern is the number of deaths involving prescription medication, mainly diazepam, methadone and other benzodiazepines, that has increased considerably between 2010 and 2011.
“Our data shows that it is the use of these medications together that is frequently contributing to the deaths.
“This demonstrates the need to continue to highlight the dangers associated with polydrug use in harm reduction initiatives at local, regional and national level.
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In the Dublin South Inner City Local Drugs Task Force (LDTF) area, there were 19 deaths recorded in 2011, compared to 11 in 2010.
In Tallaght (LDTF) there were nine compared to 11; in Clondalkin (LDTF) there were five compared to six; and in Dun Laoghaire (LDTF) there were five compared to 19.