Overdose Mortality

"In 2010, there were 164 deaths owing to poisoning recorded in Ireland by the NDRDI [National Drug-Related Deaths Index]. This represents a substantial drop compared to 2009, when 216 such deaths were recorded (Table 6.4.1.1; see also Standard Tables 5 and 6). It should be noted that annual data previously reported has been changed as the database has been updated as new information has become available.
"The number of deaths where cocaine was implicated (either alone or with another drug or substance) declined from 53 in 2009 to 20 in 2010. This reflects decreasing trends in relation to cocaine seen in other areas, with the exception of prevalence data. In 2010 there was a reduction in the number of seizures of cocaine reported (Irish Focal Point (Reitox) 2011) and a reduction in the number of cases treated for cocaine (see Section 5.3.2). However, data from the general population prevalence survey showed an increase in reported lifetime use, from 5.3% in 2006/07 to 6.8% in 2010/11 (National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Public Health Information and Research Branch 2011). Notwithstanding the increase in lifetime use, there was a small decrease in the prevalence of last-year use, from 1.7% in 2006/07 to 1.5% in 2010/11.
"The number of deaths where heroin was implicated (alone or with another drug or substance) also dropped, from 115 in 2009 to 70 in 2010. This is the first time since 2005 there has been a decrease in the number of deaths owing to poisoning where heroin was implicated. In 2010 there was a reduction in the number of heroin seizures reported, but it cannot be ascertained if this was due to a reduction in heroin use, a change in law enforcement activities or another factor as yet unknown (Irish Focal Point (Reitox) 2011)."