Two people died every day in 2015 over drug use with alcohol the number one drug

Almost two people in Ireland died each day in 2015 as a result of overdoses, trauma or medical causes linked to drug use.

According to the latest figures from the Health Research Board (HRB) a total of 695 people who used drugs died in 2015.

That’s slightly lower than the 719 reported in 2014 but a 61% increase compared to the 431 reported in 2004. There have been 7,422 deaths among people who use drugs since 2004.

Many of these deaths were premature – half of all the deaths in 2015 were aged 41 or younger and almost three-in-four (503) were men.

Source: Cliodhna Russell, The Journal.ie, 12/12/17