The first national study on illicit drug markets in Ireland, conducted by the Health Research Board, was recently published by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs and Alcohol (NACDA).¹ The study provides in-depth research and analysis on the various factors that influence the development of local drugs markets; the nature, structure and organisation of the Irish drugs market; the impact of drug-dealing on local communities; and an evaluation of current interventions in response to illicit drug dealing. This article provides a summary of the key findings of the study.

Since 2001 Irish governments have endorsed the national drugs strategy (there have been two) as Ireland’s national drug policy. Each year the Department of Health publishes a progress report on implementing the actions contained in the strategy.