Drug Survey
Do you use drugs? How many, and why? These are some of the questions asked in the European Web Survey on Drugs, launched in partnership by the HSE Drugs.ie, the Health Research Board (HRB) and the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA) to find out about drug use trends across Europe.
The anonymous survey aims to engage with people aged 18 and over and asks about the types of drugs they use, why and how they use them. It will provide valuable insight into drug trends and the diverse groups of people who now use drugs in Ireland, including the use of newer drugs to the market.
The survey opens for Irish participation for a 6 week period starting (Wednesday, 22 May 2024). The final results will be used to inform EU and Irish reports as well as the development of harm reduction responses in Ireland. Coordinated by the EMCDDA, 36 countries will be taking part in this year’s survey to capture the most current landscape and to compare trends across regions.
What is this research about?
The research will compare patterns of drug use across Europe, and will provide a greater understanding of how often people use different types of drugs, how they take them, the amounts they use, and the cost of drug use to you. It is hoped that this information will be used to guide future policy and to help form harm reduction and treatment responses.
Can I take part?
You are invited to take part if you: are aged 18 or over, live in Ireland, and have used drugs (cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy, ketamine, amphetamine, including methamphetamine and/or any new psychoactive substances ‘NPS’) at least once in the past 12 months.
Irish modules
In addition to the standard questions which will be asked across European countries, there will be a specific section for people who live in Ireland. The focus of the Irish sections will be on
- Drug information and support needs
- Harm reduction practices
- Drug use in nightlife and the HSE Safer Nightlife Programme
- HHC
What will happen to the information I give?
Any information that you provide will be anonymous. We will not be asking you to provide any personal information that identifies who you are although there are a few broad questions about your general situation (age, sex, and country where you currently live). IP addresses will not be saved during any part of this survey. The survey is being hosted by EU Survey who are fully GDPR compliant.
Share your experiences and take part in the 2024 survey here
2021 survey
In the last survey in 2021, almost 6,000 respondents, shared their experiences with a range of drugs, including on re-emerging trends at that point in time such as nitrous oxide and psychedelic mushrooms.The 2021 European Web Survey on Drugs Results for Ireland can be downloaded here.
Information and support
- If you are concerned about your own or someone else’s use of substances, there are services in each community that you can contact. Find a local service on our site here
- The HSE Drug and Alcohol Helpline offers an anonymous service Mon-Friday from 9:30am – 5:30 pm on 1800 459 459 or through email at helpline@hse.ie
- Information about different types of drugs and their effects can be found here
- Harm reduction information for people who use drugs can be found here and information factsheets can be found here
- Alerts on trends of concern can be found here
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
News
Poll
