The number of drug-related deaths reached a peak in 2013 with 679 fatalities, new figures show.
It means that, on average, 13 people died every week, directly or indirectly, from illegal drugs, prescribed pills, and alcohol.
The drug toll in 2013 is more than three and a half times the number of road fatalities in the same year (188).
The statistics, obtained by the Irish Examiner, are compiled and analysed by the National Drug-Related Deaths Index and are due to be published tomorrow.
The number of deaths have increased from 609 in 2010, to 657 in 2011, and to 658 in 2012, before jumping in 2013 to 679.
Fatalities have risen by almost 60% since the first index report was published in 2004, when 432 deaths were recorded.
The fatalities show an increase in poisonings, or drug overdoses, from 361 in 2012 to 387 in 2013, up 7%.
At the same time, there was a slight reduction in non-poisoning deaths, from 297 to 292. This category includes traumatic causes, such as hangings and drownings, and medical causes, where drugs were a factor.
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 14/12/15
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