Syringe Analysis Pilot Project 2022

The HSE in partnership with Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) has launched the findings from the first Syringe Analysis Pilot Project.

The Syringe Analysis Pilot Project is the first of its kind in Ireland, whereby community services and a laboratory have collaborated to conduct analysis to inform health-led responses. and the HSE National Drug Treatment Centre Laboratory led on the application of this innovative process.

Syringe analysis is a scientific approach that involves obtaining information through the analysis of the content of used syringes to help identify drug use trends at that particular point in time to inform tailored prevention interventions. The pilot project involved obtaining 155 used syringes from the Dublin and Midlands Region to identify the latest injecting drug trends.

Speaking at the launch of the new report, Prof Eamon Keenan, National Clinical Lead, Addiction Services says: “The volatile nature of the drug market is a healthcare concern as new and more potent substances, including synthetic opioids continue to emerge on the European drug market. I am pleased to see that this project did not identify the emergence of synthetic opioids in the syringe samples; however, we must continue to monitor this situation closely.

Through this pilot project we have confirmed the presence of new psychoactive substances on the drug market and the re-emergence of cocaine injecting, these findings require tailored health responses and further monitoring”.

This pilot demonstrates the successful collaboration between a harm reduction service and laboratory to identify drug trends to inform health-led responses. The findings from this study can now be used to inform interventions provided by MQI and other similar services.

Paula Byrne, CEO, Merchants Quay Ireland (MQI) said: “The data from this project complements existing data on substances, by providing timely and local information – it was important to include samples from both Dublin and the Midlands. The analysis shows that substance use, and trends differed across the two locations. The evidence from this pilot, highlights the need to conduct this analysis on an ongoing basis. I look forward to working collaboratively again on this project into the future.”

A series of recommendations have been made based on the report’s findings such as improving harm reduction responses and improving analytical techniques to identify drug trends of concern.

Key findings within this report

Of 155 used syringes, 11 were excluded because they did not contain any active substance or they contained a metabolite
In total, 32 different drugs and metabolites found
Heroin was the most prominent injected drug (93.3% Dublin and 98.2% Midlands Region)
New drug trends have been identified such as the presence of the synthetic cathinone 3-MMC (11.3% Dublin, 23.6% Midlands) for the first time in this population, higher levels of Methamphetamine use (32.6% Dublin, 18.2% Midlands)and the possible injection of the benzodiazepine flurazepam in the Midlands Region (12.7%)
Cocaine injecting has re-emerged as part of a polydrug pattern (86.5% Dublin, 89.1% Midlands)
Greater insight is needed on adulteration across the drug market

Research and policy recommendations

Based on the Syringe Analysis Pilot Project, the following is recommended:

The expansion of syringe analysis methodology for market monitoring purposes
Monitor signals on the emergence of stimulant injecting trends in Ireland.
Combine syringe methodology with service user research
Pilot analysis methods among other injecting user group
Continue to enhance harm reduction services for people who use drugs in Ireland.
Further develop monitoring for health purposes.
The implementation of the Medically Supervised Injecting Centre.

Download the report here

Learn about syringe analysis methods and the European Syringe Collection and Analysis Project Enterprise (ESCAPE) here.

For information about this project contact Nicki Killeen, HSE National Social Inclusion Office: Nicki.killeen@hse.ie

For media queries please contact the HSE National Press Office: Pressoffice@hse.ie

Syringe Analysis Pilot Project 2022

Key findings within this report

Research and policy recommendations

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