The number of drug-related deaths in Ireland increased from 242 in 1998 to 400 in 2005 according to a report published by the Health Research Board (HRB). Over the eight-year period 2,442 people died directly or indirectly from drug use. A total of 1,553 deaths were directly linked to the consumption of drugs, either alone or with other substances (poisoning), and 889 deaths were indirectly attributed to drug use (non-poisoning).

?Drug-related deaths are one measure of the impact of drug use in society and this report provides the first analysis of the total number of deaths related directly and indirectly to drug use in Ireland,? said Dr Suzi Lyons, Senior Researcher, Alcohol and Drug Research Unit at the HRB.

?The evidence we gather about drug-related deaths, enables policy makers to prioritise areas for intervention and measure the impact of such interventions in the future,? she explained.

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