INJECTED DRUG USE ON RISE, REPORTS FINDS

Ireland is the only country in the EU where the use of injected drugs is
rising, a report by a European drugs monitoring body has found.

It also found while the majority of those who present themselves for
treatment are heroin or cocaine users, Ireland has a higher proportion than
any other country - 9% - who are being treated for use of ecstasy.

The report by Lisbon-based agency, EMCDDA, showed a disturbing rise in
intravenous drug use and in cases of HIV among users in Ireland.

It also reveals that cannabis use among young adults in Ireland is dropping.

While cannabis remains by far the most popular drug in this country, use
over a lifetime among those between 15 and 34 had fallen from 37% to 32%
since 1995.

Denmark, Spain, France, the Netherlands and Britain all have comparable
rates, while in Finland it's only 15%.

Among all adults in Ireland, just one in four have tried cannabis at least
once.

The report outlines the latest trends in the drug scene across Europe and
reveals the responses to the problem in the different countries.

The authors identified a new type of mix being used in a number of European
countries. Users, mostly upmarket, are mixing base or crack cocaine with
tobacco in a joint.

This, the report says, has not yet reached Ireland but is spreading across
Europe.

A spokesman for the EMCDDA said: "Drugs present Europe with a continuing
challenge, but there is a visible EU-wide trend towards strengthening and
improving drug policy, with a move from reactive to proactive policies."