Emerging Drug Trends and Drug Checking Report 2021

Today, Friday, 17th September 2021, the report of the ‘Emerging Drug Trends and Drug Checking Working Group’ has been published by the HSE National Social Inclusion Office. This report reviews drug use and health responses among people who use drugs in nightlife spaces.

The Working Group was established as part of the National Drug Strategy ‘Reducing Harm, Supporting Recovery: A health-led response to drug and alcohol use in Ireland’ in 2019 to review evidence in relation issues relating to the area of nightlife drug use, health and social responses and the provision of drug checking and monitoring services to reduce drug-related harms.

The report recognises that an emerging stimulant and poly drug culture among new user groups is currently a major issue of concern across Europe and here in Ireland.

The report will be launched at a webinar titled 'Emerging Drug Trends and Health Responses in Nightlife Settings – launch of the Report of the Emerging Drug Trends and Drug Checking Working Group 2021'.

Download report

The Emerging Drug Trends and Drug Checking Working Group Report can be downloaded here.

Media

Dr Eamon Keenan discusses the Working Group to 'TheCase.Report' podcast for Emergency Mangament Providers. Listen here (40 minutes into podcast)
Irish Examiner article by Cormac O'Keeffe, read it here
'Purity and potency of MDMA and cocaine “at an all-time high” HSE report says': Article by District Magazine. Read it here.
'Working Group recommends drug checking for music festivals' by The Times UK. Read it here
'New HSE report highlights emerging drug trends and harm reduction responses' by the Limerick Post. Read it here
'Experts recommend pilot programme to test drugs at music festivals by Mixmag'. Read it here