Four out of 10 intentional drug overdoses resulting in hospitalisation involved the abuse of minor tranquillisers, according to a study.
The result prompted calls for a national campaign to “address the availability and misuse” of these drugs, either prescribed or obtained on the street.
The study said that intentional drug overdose (IDO) was the most common form of hospital-treated suicidal behaviour, accounting for up to 85% of self-harm presentations.
The research, the first of its kind, compared results North and South. It was conducted by the National Suicide Research Foundation at University College Cork and the college’s Department of Epidemiology as well as the Public Health Agency in Derry.
It said that between 2007 and 2012 there were 56,494 self harm presentations involving IDOs — 50,394 (89%) in Ireland and 6,100 in the western area of the North.
Based on the respective populations, the rate was lower in Ireland (156 per 100,000 population) than the North (278).
The research said that despite this difference the profile of presentations was remarkably similar in both countries.
It said minor tranquillisers were the drugs most commonly involved in both areas, on average accounting for 40% of presentations.
Source: Cormac O'Keeffe, Irish Examiner, 07/10/14
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