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The Northern Ireland Crime Survey (NICS) was carried out in 1998 by the Central Survey Unit of the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency on behalf of the NIO.¹

The NICS included a self-reporting drugs component which was only completed by the sample, aged between 16-59 years. There was a total of 2,277 respondents to the drugs module of the NICS. Respondents were asked questions on various types of drugs, asked if they had taken any of them and, if so, when they had taken them.

Main findings

Knowledge of specific types of illicit drugs in Northern Ireland appeared very high. Ninety five percent of NICS respondents had heard of Ecstasy, cocaine, cannabis, heroin and LSD. At least 90% had heard of tranquillisers, crack, magic mushrooms and anabolic steroids. The least known illicit drugs were amyl nitrate (63%) and methadone (67%).

Almost one quarter (24%) of NICS respondents admitted taking at least one type of illicit drug at some point in their lives. However, only 9% admitted taking them within the last year and 5% within the last month.

Specific illicit drugs ever used, from Northern Ireland Crime Survey (1998). Respondents by sex

Specific illicit drugs ever used, from Northern Ireland Crime Survey (1998). Respondents by age

Reference

1. Hague L, Willis M, Power M. Experience of drug misuse: findings from the 1998 Northern Ireland Crime Survey. Belfast: Northern Ireland Office (NIO), 2000.