August 31st every year is International Overdose Awareness Day. Coordinated by the MelbournebasedPenington Institute, organisations around the world work to raise awareness of the devastating effects drug overdoses have on public health.
And those effects are devastating. Globally there were an estimated 183,000 drug-related deaths in 2012, most of which were overdoses. The latest official statistics for Ireland are also from 2012, and reveal that there were 350 overdose deaths during the year. That is over twice the amount of people who died in road traffic accidents in the same year. The 2015 statistics from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction show that Ireland is in the top five EU countries for overdose.
And those effects are devastating. Globally there were an estimated 183,000 drug-related deaths in 2012, most of which were overdoses. The latest official statistics for Ireland are also from 2012, and reveal that there were 350 overdose deaths during the year. That is over twice the amount of people who died in road traffic accidents in the same year. The 2015 statistics from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction show that Ireland is in the top five EU countries for overdose.
While death is the starkest measure of the impact of overdose, it is obviously not the only one. Every non-fatal overdose can also have adverse health effects. Equally, overdose does not just affect the individual. As Joe Doyle, HSE National Social Inclusion Planning Specialist, says “it is important to recognise that behind every death there is a family and a community that is suffering.” Every death, by any means, is some family’s tragedy, and overdose is no exception.
However, overdose is preventable, and while we are doing a lot in Ireland, there is also a lot more we can do. Tony Duffin, Director of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, notes:
“There is a lot being done in Ireland regarding overdose, by both the HSE and other service providers like ourselves. However, as we move into 2016 and the end of our current National Drug Strategy, there is a need to be more focused and coordinated on this important public health issue. We believe that a firm target for a reduction in overdose deaths on a year-onyear basis needs to be set, so we can measure the impact of what is being done and adjust our focus as needed”.
It is likely that any such reduction will require coordination across a number of areas. Overdose is a complex issue, as Duffin explains:
“The stereotype of overdose is a person with a needle in their arm. However, the reality is that while opiates are a serious problem and were implicated in over 60% of overdose deaths in 2012, they are far from the whole story. In over half of overdose deaths, the person had consumed more than one substance, so polydrug use is a huge issue. As is alcohol – over a fifth of overdose deaths in 2012 were attributable to alcohol alone. We need cross cutting measures to deal with the risk in a pragmatic and focused way”.
So, what kind of measures might work? In addition to the setting of a firm numerical target by which to measure success, Duffin says that, as with all drug policy, we need to have a clear strategy and work to the best available evidence:
“Having a simple, clear national overdose prevention strategy as envisaged by the current National Drug Strategy is important. Ensuring timely access to treatment for people at risk of overdose is also critical. In terms of opiates, provision of antagonists like Naloxone to drug users is a step in the right direction, and we are pleased to be working with the HSE and other stakeholders on a demonstration project in this regard. Minimum unit pricing for alcohol has been shown to reduce alcohol deaths in other jurisdictions. In terms of direct services, Ana Liffey has been vocal in lobbying for Medically Supervised Injecting Centres and accessible residential services for polydrug users. Both of these services are aimed at high risk populations and, amongst other benefits, can be effective in reducing incidents of overdose.”
Ana Liffey Drug Project is, a national addiction service working to reduce the harm caused by drug use in Ireland. Ana Liffey provided direct services to over 2,914 clients in 2014, many of whom are among the most marginalised from mainstream service provision. Ana Liffey is supported by and is working with the HSE to promote IOAD 2015. To find out more about the Ana Liffey’s services visit aldp.ie/services
- There are support materials and videos available on drugs.ie
- Information on addiction services can be found on drugs.ie/services
- Find out more about the HSE Naloxone Demonstration Project here: drugs.ie/naloxone
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