Synthetic drugs and so-called "legal highs" are becoming a major threat in Ireland, causing 11 deaths in just one year.
A major new European report also reveals how the drug overdose rate in Ireland is among the highest in Europe.
The latest findings come from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction and reveal that Ireland now ranks third in terms of drug deaths per one million population.
Ireland recorded 70 drug deaths per million, compared with the European average of 17.
Estonia ranked highest with 191 drug deaths per one million population with Norway second with 76 recorded deaths.
Sweden was ranked fourth with 63 and Finland fifth with 58 deaths per million.
The report describes the use of established drugs such as heroin, cocaine and cannabis as broadly stable or in decline.
But this is undermined by the proliferation of new psychoactive substances across the continent, with their volume, diversity and availability placing authorities under pressure.
Source: Eilish O'Regan, Irish Independent, 28/05/14
Safer Student Nights
eBulletin
Poll
