News (Media Awareness Project) - Ireland: Drug Addicts Double In Two Years |
| Title: | Ireland: Drug Addicts Double In Two Years |
| Published On: | 2000-10-24 |
| Source: | Belfast Telegraph (UK) |
| Fetched On: | 2008-09-03 04:35:10 |
DRUG ADDICTS DOUBLE IN TWO YEARS
THE number of registered drug addicts has doubled in Northern Ireland in
just two years, it can be revealed today.
Latest Government figures show that in 1999 there were around 300
registered addicts across the province - compared with some 150 in 1997.
But according to health experts, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Drug counsellors believe that there could be up to 500 addicts alone in
Ballymena - dubbed Ulster's heroin capital.
The new statistics, revealed in Northern Health Board's Director of Public
Health report, show that most of Ulster's registered addicts are based in
the Northern area which includes Ballymena and Antrim.
The Board's public health consultant, Dr Gerry Waldron, said: "There has
been a significant rise and we would expect this to rise further.
"This is probably only the tip of the iceberg. These are only the
registered addicts.
"Drug misuse is a growing concern with more registered addicts in the
Northern Board area than any other health board area."
Dr Waldron said they were seeing a parallel with Dublin and the rest of the
UK for what was currently happening.
He said: "It has been delayed for some years and we are in relatively early
days yet.
"The fight against the misuse of drugs requires action on a broad front
both within and outside health and personal social services."
A Northern Ireland-wide pilot of needle exchange programmes will get under
way soon.
Dr Waldron added: "It is important to discourage people who do not use
drugs at present, particularly young people, from taking up the habit.
"This is not just the responsibility of the health and social services.
"Teachers, parents, the media and peer group members all have their role to
play.
"There is evidence that the scare tactics of previous anti-drugs campaigns
have not worked and may even have been counter-productive.
"What may be required in the future is a more open and honest debate and
provision of information on the consequences for society of the use of all
drugs, both legal and illicit."
THE number of registered drug addicts has doubled in Northern Ireland in
just two years, it can be revealed today.
Latest Government figures show that in 1999 there were around 300
registered addicts across the province - compared with some 150 in 1997.
But according to health experts, this is only the tip of the iceberg.
Drug counsellors believe that there could be up to 500 addicts alone in
Ballymena - dubbed Ulster's heroin capital.
The new statistics, revealed in Northern Health Board's Director of Public
Health report, show that most of Ulster's registered addicts are based in
the Northern area which includes Ballymena and Antrim.
The Board's public health consultant, Dr Gerry Waldron, said: "There has
been a significant rise and we would expect this to rise further.
"This is probably only the tip of the iceberg. These are only the
registered addicts.
"Drug misuse is a growing concern with more registered addicts in the
Northern Board area than any other health board area."
Dr Waldron said they were seeing a parallel with Dublin and the rest of the
UK for what was currently happening.
He said: "It has been delayed for some years and we are in relatively early
days yet.
"The fight against the misuse of drugs requires action on a broad front
both within and outside health and personal social services."
A Northern Ireland-wide pilot of needle exchange programmes will get under
way soon.
Dr Waldron added: "It is important to discourage people who do not use
drugs at present, particularly young people, from taking up the habit.
"This is not just the responsibility of the health and social services.
"Teachers, parents, the media and peer group members all have their role to
play.
"There is evidence that the scare tactics of previous anti-drugs campaigns
have not worked and may even have been counter-productive.
"What may be required in the future is a more open and honest debate and
provision of information on the consequences for society of the use of all
drugs, both legal and illicit."
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