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This report provides details of a research study using data from the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database, the Substitute Prescribing Database, hospital inpatient records, the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) and the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI). The study estimates the prevalence of problem drug misuse in Northern Ireland, applying the capture-recapture method.¹

Individuals (aged between 15 and 64) who were in contact with these sources during 2004 and known to be using heroin, methadone, other opiate drugs or cocaine were included in the analysis. Estimates are provided for the four Health and Social Service Board (HSSB) areas in Northern Ireland.

This is the second such study to be carried out in Northern Ireland. Direct comparisons with this work and the previous study by McElrath (2002) of "problem heroin use" in Northern Ireland cannot be made as the previous study did not include problem cocaine use and was restricted in its efforts to produce regional estimates due to a lack of information on area of residence.²

The following key findings are taken from the report:

Opiate use

• In 2004, there were an estimated 1,395 opiate users in Northern Ireland, corresponding to a rate of 1.28 opiate users per 1,000 of the population aged 15 to 64.
• The Eastern HSSB had the hightest prevalence of opiate use at 1.68 per 1,000 of the population, followed by the Northern HSSB with a rate of 1.29 per 1,000 of the population.

Estimated number of opiate users by HSSB area

Opiate and/or problem cocaine use

There was insufficient data to provide a meaningful estimate of the number of problem cocaine users. Therefore, a combined opiate and/or problem cocaine estimate was produced.

• In 2004, there were an estimated 3,303 opiate and/or problem cocaine users in Northern Ireland, corresponding to a rate of 3.03 opiate and/or problem cocaine users per 1,000 of the population aged 15 to 64.
• The Eastern HSSB had the highest prevalence of opiate and/or problem cocaine use at 3.74 per 1,000 of the population, followed by the Western HSSB at 3.08 per 1,000 of the population.

Estimated number of opiate/problem cocaine users by HSSB area

The following table shows that the prevalence of opiate use in Northern Ireland remains lower than other parts of the UK or Republic of Ireland.

Prevalence estimates of opiate use

To view the report "Estimating the prevalence of problem opiate and problem cocaine use in Northern Ireland" click here.
Further infomation is available from DAIRU.

References

1. Centre for Drug Misuse Research, University of Glasgow. Estimating the prevalence of problem opiate and problem cocaine use in Northern Ireland. Belfast: Drug and Alcohol Information and Research Unit (DAIRU), 2006.
2. McElrath K. Heroin use in Northern Ireland. Belfast: Queens University, 2000.