By Denis O’Brien
Denis.obrien@leitrimpost.com

A study into drug use across in Leitrim, Donegal, and Sligo shows that the numbers who have been referred for treatment for alcohol and drug addiction is on the rise, with opiate including heroin use increasing.  
While alcohol continues to be the leading drug, accounting for 855 treatment referrals for the three counties in 2004, other drugs accounted for 135 referrals. Of those drug referrals, opiates accounted for 14% but by 2006 that amount had risen to 20% with little or no evidence of heroin in the region in 2002. *
Speaking to the Leitrim Post, Sean O’Connor, Co-Ordinator of North West Regional Drugs Task Force (NWRDTF), said that the percentages are small but Leitrim is not immune to hard drug use.
“Leitrim is similar now to other counties in that drugs are making their way around the country an awful lot easier. Opiate use, including heroin use, is showing up in statistics. There is heroin use in every county and Leitrim is no exception.  However, the numbers that are showing up are extremely small at this time.”
He said that it was a good thing that people were accessing treatment services and added that Leitrim was to the forefront in combating drug use.

Seeking Help
“When people are accessing treatment services that is a good thing as people are realising that they many have drug issues and they are seeking and getting help and advice. We work very closely with the HSE and the alternative treatment services that we fund like Reflexology, Reki Healing, Auricular Acupuncture – which is excellent for detoxification.
“Such alternative Holistic Therapy Services are the first outside Dublin city and the country and Leitrim is actually leading the way here.  These services are excellent in treating addictions such as cocaine, alcohol and opiates.”

* The figures above were quoted on the National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.