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Ireland

For a short overview of drug-related research in Ireland, visit the Country overviews. For a more comprehensive overview of drug-related research in the European countries, download our Selected issue on drug-related research. The Irish National reports are available here.

Main research institutions

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Main funding institutions

Government funding for drug-related research is mainly provided through:

  • The Department of Health and Children, which funds the Health Research Board to manage the National Drug Treatment Reporting System, and part-funds the Health Research Board to manage the National Drug-related Deaths Index and the national report to the EMCCDA.

  • The Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, which includes the Office of the Minister for Drugs (OMD), which has responsibility for coordinating the implementation of the National Drugs Strategy 2009–2016, and funds the National Advisory Committee on Drugs to identify priority information gaps and deficiencies in the drugs area and to commission research to fill these gaps. This Department also funds the HRB to manage the National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

  • The Health Service Executive (HSE), which has overall responsibility for the management of Ireland’s publicly-funded health and social services, including drug treatment services. The HSE provides funding for research on drug- and alcohol-related issues.

  • The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which part-funds the HRB to manage the National Drug-Related Deaths Index.

  • The Health Research Board, which funds all areas of health research, including biomedical, population health and health services research. A number of major drug-related research projects have been supported by this funding.

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National scientific journals

Name Topic Language Abstract
Irish Journal of Medical Science Medicine English English
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine Psychology English English
Irish Journal of Psychology Psychology English English
Irish Journal of Sociology Sociology English English
Irish Medical Journal Medicine English English
Irish Pharmacy Journal Pharmacy English English

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Other websites

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Recent studies used for the 2010 National report

The following studies were amongst those used for the 2010 Irish National report and could be seen as among the most relevant, recent studies in Ireland. Most of the bibliographic references can be found in the next section of this page.

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2010 National report bibliography (2009 and 2010 references only)

An Garda Síochána (2010). An Garda Síochána Policing Plan 2010. An Garda Síochána, Dublin.

Ana Liffey Drug Project (2010a). Information on Legal Highs.

Ana Liffey Drug Project (2010b). Use Your Head – Harm Reduction Information – Legal Highs or Otherwise’. Ana Liffey Drug Project, Dublin.

Bacik, I. (2010, 23 June). Parliamentary Debates Seanad Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010: Second Stage. Vol. 203, No. 9, p. 542.

Ballyfermot Advance Project and Base Youth and Child Centre (2010). Legal highs & headshops: some basic facts. Ballyfermot Drugs Task Force.

Barry, J., Darker, C., Thomas, D., Allwright, S. and O'Dowd, T. (2010). Primary medical care in Irish prisons. BMC Health Services Research, 10, Article No. 74.

Brady, A. (2010, 2 June). Parliamentary Debates Seanad Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Adjournment matters. Vol. 203, No 3, pp. 186–188. Youth services.

Brierley, M. (2010). Tracing and tracking of children subject to a special care application. CAAB Research: Report No. 8. Children Acts Advisory Board, Dublin.

Byrne, D. and Smyth, E. (2010). No way back? The dynamics of early school leaving. The Liffey Press, in association with the Economic and Social Research Institute, Dublin.

Campbell, L. (2010). Responding to gun crime in Ireland. British Journal of Criminology, 50, (3), 414–434.

Carew, A. M. (2010a). Treated problem alcohol use in Ireland: figures for 2008 from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System. Health Research Board, Dublin.

Carew, A. M. (2010b). Treated problem drug use in Ireland: figures for 2008 from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System. Health Research Board, Dublin.

Carey, P. (2010, 9 June). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Written answers. Vol. 711, No 4, pp. 964–965. National Drugs Strategy. Question 234.

Carey, P. (2010, 11 May). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Priority questions. Vol. 708, No 3, pp. 453–455. Community development. Question 46.

Carey P (2010, 11 May) Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Written answers.: Vol. 708, No 3, pp. 545–546. Drugs Task Forces. Question 234.

Cashman, C. M., Ruotsalainen, J. H., Greiner, B. A., Beirne, P. V. and Verbeek, J. H. (2009). Alcohol and drug screening of occupational drivers for preventing injury. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, (2), Art. No: CD006566. DOI: 006510.001002/14651858. CD14006566. pub14651852.

Cloverhill Prison Visiting Committee (2009). Cloverhill Prison Visiting Committee annual report 2008. Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Dublin. Available at

Comiskey, C. M., Kelly, P., Leckey, Y., McCulloch, L., O'Duill, B., Stapleton, R. D. et al. (2009). The ROSIE study: drug treatment outcomes in Ireland. National Advisory Committee on Drugs, Dublin.

Coolmine Therapeutic Community (2009). Supporting people in changing times: strategic plan 2009 to 2011. Coolmine Therapeutic Community, Dublin.

Cork Simon Community (2009). Sick and tired of homelessness: health profile of people using Cork Simon services. Cork Simon Community, Cork.

Costello, J. (2010, 25 February). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Planning and Development (Amendment) Bill 2010. First and Second Stages. Vol. 703, No 3, pp. 503–504.

Coughlan, M. (2010, 1 June). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Offical report: unrevised): Written answers. Vol. 711, No 1, pp. 334–335. Early school leavers. Questions 501 and 502.

Courts Service (2009). Courts Service annual report 2008. Courts Service, Dublin.

Cowen, B. (2010, 23 March). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Nomination of members of government: motion. Vol. 705, No 1, p. 9.

Cox, G. and Whitaker, T. (2009). Drug use, sex work and the risk environment in Dublin. National Advisory Committee on Drugs, Dublin.

Cullen, W., O'Brien, S., O'Carroll, A., O'Kelly, F. D. and Bury, G. (2009). Chronic illness and multimorbidity among problem drug users: a comparative cross-sectional pilot study in primary care. BMC Family Practice, 10, (25).

Curran, J. (2009, 17 November). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Written answers. Vol. 694, No 4, p. 856. National Drugs Strategy. Question 74.

Curran, J. (2010, 2 July). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Debate on Second Stage of Criminal Justice (Psychoactive Substances) Bill 2010. Vol. 714 No 3, pp. 672–673.

Curran, J. (2010, 18 February). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Written answers. Vol. 702, No 4, p. 855. Substance misuse strategy. Question 43.

Daly, A. and Walsh, D. (2009). Activities of Irish psychiatric hospitals and units 2008. Health Research Board, Dublin.

Darke, S., Duflou, J. and Torok, M. (2009). Toxicology and circumstances of completed suicide by means other than overdose. Journal of Forensic Sciences, 54, (2), 490–494.

de Millas, W., Haasen, C., Reimer, J., Eiroa-Orosa, F. J. and Schaefer, I. (2010). Emergencies related to cocaine use: a European multicentre study of expert interviews. European Journal of Emergency Medicine, 17, (1), 33–36.

Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs (2009). National Drugs Strategy (interim) 2009-2016. Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Dublin.

Department of Health and Children, Health Service Executive and Health Services National Partnership Forum (2009). Consultative workshop with Members of the Public on the Proposed Health Information Bill. Department of Health and Children, Dublin.

Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform (2010a). Process to develop a White Paper on crime.

Department of Justice Equality and Law Reform (2010b). Review of the Drug Treatment Court. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Doyle, J. and Ivanovic, J. (2010). National drugs rehabilitation framework document. Health Service Executive, Dublin.

Dublin 12 Local Drugs Task Force (2009). Strengthening our collective responses: strategic plan 2009–2013. Dublin 12 LDTF, Dublin.

Duffin, T. and Galvin, B. (2009). Ana Liffey’s SMS service for drug users. Drugnet Ireland, (31), 25.

EMCDDA (2009). Responding to drug driving in Europe. Drugs in Focus, (20), 3.

Eogan, M. (2010). First national sexual assault treatment unit (SATU) annual clinical report. Health Service Executive, Dublin.

Family Support Network (2010). Good practice guidelines for peer-led family support groups. Family Support Network, Dublin.

Fianna Fáil and the Green Party (2009). Renewed programme for government. Fianna Fáil and the Green Party, Dublin.

Flynn, K. (2009). Minor tranquillisers & sedatives: use and misuse in the west of Ireland. Western Region Drugs Task Force, Galway.

FuturesIreland (2009).Ireland at another turning point: reviving development, reforming institutions and liberating capabilities. National Economic and Social Development Office, Dublin.

Haase, T. and Pratschke, J. (2010). Risk and protection factors for substance use among young people: a comparative study of early school-leavers and school-attending students. National Advisory Committee on Drugs, Dublin.

Hanly, C., Healy, D. and Scriver, S. (2009). Rape and justice in Ireland: a national study of survivor, prosecutor and court responses to rape. The Liffey Press, Dublin.

Health Protection Surveillance Centre (2010). HIV & AIDS diagnoses in Ireland – surveillance tables to end December 2009 updated 16th June 2010. Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin.

Health Research Board (2010). Drug-related deaths and deaths among drug users in Ireland, 1998 to 2007. Data from the National Drug-Related Deaths Index. Health Research Board, Dublin.

Health Service Executive (2009). First annual report 2008. HSE Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services, Dublin.

Health Service Executive (2010). National Service Plan 2010. Health Service Executive, Dublin.

Hibell, B., Guttormsson, U., Ahlström, S., Balakireva, O., Bjarnason, T., Kokkevi, A. et al. (2009). The 2007 ESPAD report: substance use among students in 35 European countries. The Swedish Council for Information on Alcohol and Other Drugs (CAN) and the Pompidou Group of the Council of Europe, Stockholm.

Homeless Agency Partnership and Progression Routes Initiative (2010). Case management guidebook. Homeless Agency Partnership and Progression Routes Initiative, Dublin.

Inchicore Community Drug Team (2010). Taking stock and moving forward: strategic planning document 2010–2012. Inchicore Community Drug Team Dublin.

Independent Monitoring Group (2010). A vision for change – the report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy. Fourth annual report on implementation. Department of Health and Children, Dublin.

Irish College of General Practitioners (2010). General clinical audit findings for Methadone Treatment Protocol. Methadone Treatment Protocol Newsletter, (2), 2.

Irish Prison Service (2010). Irish Prison Service annual report 2009. Irish Prison Service, Longford.

Irish Youth Justice Service (2009). Designing effective local response to youth crime: a baseline analysis of the Garda Youth Diversion Projects. Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dublin.

Jackson, S., O'Donnell, K., Moran, J. and O'Hora, A. (2010). HIV & AIDS in Ireland 2009. Health Protection Surveillance Centre, Dublin.

Joint Committee on Health and Children (2006). The high level of suicide in Irish society. 7th Report. Houses of the Oireachtas, Dublin.

Joint Committee on Health and Children (2009). The high level of suicide in Irish society. 1st report. Houses of the Oireachtas, Dublin.

Kamali, M., McTigue, O., Whitty, P., Gervin, M., Clarke, M., Browne, S. et al. (2009). Lifetime history of substance misuse in first-episode psychosis: prevalence and its influence on psychopathology and onset of psychotic symptoms. Early Intervention in Psychiatry, 3, (3), 198–203.

Kavanagh, P., McNamara, S., Angelov, D., McDermott, S., Mullan, D. and Ryder, S. (2010). The characterization of ‘legal highs’ available from head shops in Dublin. Paper presented at: 32nd All-Ireland Joint Schools of Pharmacy Research Seminar, Queen's University Belfast, March 2010.

Keane, M. (2010). The Irish needle exchange forum conference. Drugnet Ireland, (33), 27.

Kelly, A., Teljeur, C. and Carvalho, M. (2009). Prevalence of opiate use in Ireland 2006: a 3-souce capture-recapture study. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Kelly, C., Fitzpatrick, C. and Nic Gabhainn, S. (2009). Substance use in new communities: a way forward. Western Region Drugs Task Force, Galway.

Kidd, M. (2009). Data co-ordination overview of drug misuse 2008. Health Service Executive South, Waterford.

Kinsella, M. (2010, 1 June). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised) Joint Committee on Health and Children.

Long, J. (2010). Conference on psychoactive drugs sold in head shops and on line. Drugnet Ireland, (33), 1–3.

Long, J. and Lyons, S. (2009). Sedative, tranquilliser and anti-depressant use in Ireland. Drugnet Ireland, (30), 7–10.

Long, J. and Mongan, D. (2010). Alcohol and drug use among young people in Ireland. Drugnet Ireland, (33), 3–7.

Lynn, E., Lyons, S., Walsh, S. and Long, J. (2009). Trends in deaths among drug users in Ireland from traumatic and medical causes, 1998 to 2005. HRB Trends Series 8. Health Research Board, Dublin.

Lyons, S., Walsh, S., Lynn, E. and Long, J. (2010). Drug-related deaths among recently released prisoners in Ireland 1998 to 2005. International Journal of Prisoner Health, 6, (1), 26–32.

Lyons, S., Robinson, J., Carew, A. M., Gibney, S., Connolly, J. and Long, J. (2010). Close to home: a study on the misuse of drugs and alcohol in the Midland region. Midland Regional Drugs Task Force, Offaly.

MacNamara, S., Stokes, S. and Coleman, N. (2010). Head shop compound abuse amongst attendees of the Drug Treatment Centre Board. Irish Medical Journal, 103, (5).

Martynowicz, A. and Quigley, M. (2010). ‘It’s like stepping on a landmine’: reintegration of prisoners in Ireland. Irish Penal Reform Trust, Dublin. Available at www.drugsandalcohol.ie/13496

Mayock, P., Bryan, A., Carr, N. and Kitching, K. (2009). Supporting LGBT lives: a study of the mental health and well-being of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. National Office for Suicide Prevention, Dublin.

McDonnell, A. and Van Hout, M. C. (2010). Maze and minefield: a grounded theory of opiate self-detoxification in rural Ireland. Drugs and Alcohol Today, 10, (2), 24–31.

McInerney, C. and Adshead, M. (2010). The challenge of community participation in the delivery of public services: Exploring local participatory governance in Ireland. National Economic and Social Forum, Dublin.

McNicholas, F., O'Sullivan, M., Lennon, R., Doherty, M. and Adamson, N. (2010). Deliberate self-harm (DSH) out of hour's presentation. Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, 27, (1), 11–14.

Mental Health Commission (2009). From vision to action? An analysis of the implementation of A vision for change. Mental Health Commission, Dublin.

Mental Health Commission (2010). Annual report 2009 including the report of the Inspector of Mental Health Services. Mental Health Commission, Dublin.

Mental Health Commission and An Garda Síochána (2009). Report of joint working group on mental health services and the police 2009. Mental Health Commission, Dublin.

Mullan Consulting (2009). Report on the independent evaluation of the Development/Education Bursary Fund on behalf of Tallaght Drugs Task Force. Tallaght Drugs Task Force, Dublin.

Mullen, L., Keenan, E., Barry, J., Long, J., Mulholland, D., Grogan, L. et al. (2010, 21 February. Published online). Factors predicting completion in a cohort of opiate users entering a detoxification programme. Irish Journal of Medical Science.

Murphy, C., McCarthy, C., Harkin, K. and Keenan, E. (2010). Head shop bath salts - not good clean fun. Paper presented at: College of Psychiatry of Ireland spring conference. Minding the gap: the boundaries and interface between psychiatry and primary care, Dublin, 25 March 2010.

National Advisory Committee on Drugs (2010). Tender to undertake a study on the prevalence of drug use, including intravenous drug use, and blood borne viruses among the Irish prisoner population. National Advisory Committee on Drugs, Dublin.

National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Public Health Information and Research Branch (2009a). Drug use in Ireland and Northern Ireland: 2006/2007 drug prevalence survey: polydrug use results. Bulletin 5. National Advisory Committee on Drugs, Dublin.

National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Public Health Information and Research Branch (2009b). Drug use in Ireland and Northern Ireland: 2006/2007 drug prevalence survey: sedatives or tranquilisers, and anti-depressants use results. Bulletin 6. National Advisory Committee on Drugs, Dublin.

National Commission on Restorative Justice (2009). National Commission on Restorative Justice: final report. National Commission on Restorative Justice, Dublin.

National Drugs Rehabilitation Implementation Committee (2010). Terms of reference for pilot projects to inform the implementation of the National Drugs Rehabilitation Framework. Health Service Executive, Dublin.

National Registry of Deliberate Self Harm Ireland (2010). Annual report 2009. National Suicide Research Foundation, Cork.

Nestor, L., Hestor, R. and Garavan, H. (2010). Increased ventral striatal BOLD activity during non-drug reward anticipation in cannabis users. NeuroImage, 49, (1), 1133–1143.

Nursing and Midwifery Planning and Development Unit & Irish Prison Service (2009). Nursing in the Irish Prison Service: working together to meet the healthcare needs of prisoners. Health Service Executive, Dublin.

O'Brien, B., Murphy , D., Conrick-Martin, I. and Marsh, B. (2009). The functional outcome and recovery of patients admitted to an intensive care unit following drug overdose: a follow-up study. Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, 37, (5), 802–806.

O'Dea, W. (2009, 19 November). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Written answers. Vol. 695 No 2. p. 314. Defence Forces Discipline. Question 14.

O'Grady, M. J., Hopewell, J. and White, M. J. (2009). Management of neonatal abstinence syndrome: a national survey and review of practice. Archives of Disease in Childhood. Fetal and Neonatal Edition, 94, (4), F249–252.

O'Keeffe, B. (2010, 9 February). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Written answers. Vol. 701, No 3, p. 848. Educational projects. Question 648 and 649.

Ó Snodaigh, A. (2010, 28 April). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Non-Medicinal Psychoactive Substances Bill 2010: First stage. Vol. 707, No 4, p. 637.

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (2009). Report of the Commission to Inquire into Child Abuse, 2009: implementation plan. Stationery Office, Dublin.

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (2010a). National quality standards framework (NQSF) for youth work. Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dublin.

Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs (2010b). Life skills matter – not just points. A survey of implementation of Social, Personal and Health Education (SPHE) and Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE) in second-level schools. Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Dublin.

Probation Service (2010). The Probation Service annual report 2009. Probation Service, Navan.

Reilly, J. (2010, 1 June). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Joint Committee on Health and Children. Regulation of psychoactive substances. Discussion with Department of Health and Children and HSE.

Reilly, J. (2010, 17 February). Parliamentary Debates Dáil Éireann (Official report: unrevised): Order of business. Vol. 702, No 3, pp. 562–563.

Reilly, M. (2009a). Office of the Inspector of Prisons annual report 2008. Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform, Dublin.

Reilly, M. (2009b). Report on an inspection of Castlerea prison by the Inspector of Prisons Judge Michael Reilly 2008-2009. Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Dublin.

Revenue Commissioners (2010). Annual report 2009. Revenue Commissioners, Dublin.

Roberts, G. M., Nestor, L. and Garavan, H. (2009). Learning and memory deficits in ecstasy users and their neural correlates during a face-learning task. Brain Research, 1292, 71–81.

Ryder, N., Cullen, W., Barry, J., Bury, G., Keenan, E. and Smyth, B. P. (2009). Prevalence of problem alcohol use among patients attending primary care for methadone treatment. BMC Family Practice, 10, (42).

Smyth, B. P., Barry, J., Keenan, E. and Ducray, K. (2010). Lapse and relapse following inpatient treatment of opiate dependence. Irish Medical Journal, 103, (6), 176–179.

Stapleton, R. and Comiskey C. (2010). Alcohol usage and associated treatment outcomes for opiate users entering treatment in Ireland. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 107, (1), 56–61.

Van Hout, M. C. (2009a). Drug and alcohol use among rural Irish adolescents: a brief exploratory study. Drugs and Alcohol Today, 9, (1), 20–26.

Van Hout, M. C. (2009b). Youth alcohol and drug use in rural Ireland: parents' views. Rural and Remote Health, 9, 1171.

Van Hout, M. C. (2009c). Substance misuse in the Traveller community: a regional needs assessment. Western Region Drugs Task Force, Galway.

Williams, J., Greene, S., Doyle, E., Harris, E., Layte, R., McCoy, S. et al. (2009). Growing up in Ireland: national longitudinal study. The lives of 9-year-olds, child cohort. Report 1. Stationery Office, Dublin.

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