RESEARCH REVEALS OVER 13,000 USING HEROIN AND METHADONE

Over 8,500 Irish people are addicted to heroin, new research has revealed.

A further 5,000 people are taking heroin or methadone, but are not yet
problematic users.

The report, carried out by Dr Catherine Comiskey of the National University
of Ireland Maynooth, is the first country wide prevalence study of opiate
heroin and methadone use.

In her report, Dr Comiskey points out that the 8,500 figure only refers to
problematic users, ie, those seeking treatment or hospital services.

She estimates that, based on a broader definition of opiate use, including
indicators such as police data, there are 13,735 opiate users in the
country. Of these, at least 5,235 people are not yet addicted to opiates
and may be at the experimental or recreational stage.

Leading anti heroin campaigner Deputy Tony Gregory said the research
confirmed our worst fears that there were in excess of 13,000 people using
heroin.

"This is despite the huge investment put in by communities and the
government in response to the crisis."

He said it took 20 years for the drugs problem to reach crisis levels and
said it would take a very long time to deal with it.

The Dublin deputy said it was very important to have accurate research
about drug use.

"It's very difficult to have a correct strategy if you don't know the
extent of the problem."

Dr Comiskey's report estimates there are between 4,000 and 8,500 people
addicted to opiates. However, Dr Comiskey said the 4,000 figure was a
serious underestimate of the true national prevalence of opiate use. There
are several thousand heroin and methadone addicts who are not included in
official treatment figures.

According to the National Drug Treatment Figures for 1997 only 3,839 people
were misusing opiates.

The report points out that 98% of opiate users are from the Eastern Health
Board area, primarily Dublin. Dr Comiskey says that of the 13,735 users,
275 are outside that area.