Almost 1,000 'problematic' opioid users in Cork

There are currently over 850 opioid users in Cork city, a new, first of its kind report has revealed.

The first-ever report into problem drug use (PDU) to focus solely on Cork city also found that of these users, one third are not availing of the available treatment services.

The study examined the scale of PDU on Leeside using multiple data sources and estimated that there were 859 problematic opioid users in Cork city in 2022.

The research also noted an increase in the use of cocaine (including crack) and amphetamines, with these increases being noticeably pronounced among young adults.

Between 2018 and 2021 there was a total of 487 self-harm presentations related to PDU by Cork city residents. During this period, there was an average of 35 deaths each year due to PDU.

Commissioned by HSE South West and Cork City Council, the research was undertaken by the School of Public Health at UCC, aided by colleagues in the Health Research Board and National Suicide Research Foundation.

David Lane, HSE General Manager for Social Inclusion, said the study is the culmination of many years of hard work.

He said: “The HSE team work every day to support problematic drug users but to solve addiction issues, we also need to have reliable research to guide us in planning supports and services.

“HSE South West believes that recovery is possible when individuals are given the right support and tools,” he added.

Co-study lead Dr Seán Millar, UCC, added: “Importantly, our study suggests that almost one-third of opioid users in Cork city are unknown to treatment services.”

The HSE defines PDU as recurrent drug use that is causing harm to an individual or is placing them at a high probability or risk of suffering harm. Substances associated with PDU include opioids (such as heroin), cocaine (powder and crack), amphetamines, benzodiazepines, Z-drugs, and gabapentinoids.

The HSE warns that PDU can lead to increased criminal activity, drug-related litter, increased risk of infectious diseases passed on from shared syringes and needles, substance use disorders, overdoses, and death.

Lead author Lauren Muttucomaroe, UCC, said: “To-date, studies on PDU in Ireland have largely been conducted at a national level, or have concentrated on Dublin city. Our report is the first to assess the scale of PDU in an Irish city other than Dublin and provides a template for how future studies may be conducted in other Irish and European cities using available data sources.”