Published in June 2023, the latest report from the National Drug Treatment Reporting System (NDTRS) presents data on treated problem drug use (excluding alcohol) for the year 2022, followed by trends for the seven-year period from 2016 to 2022.1

Key findings, 2022

In 2022, some 12,009 cases were treated for problem drug use.2 This is the highest annual number of cases recorded by the NDTRS to date. Almost 4 in 10 (37.1%) of those cases were never treated before, while almost 7 in 10 (68.9%) cases were treated in outpatient facilities.

A report from the Irish Penal Reform Trust (IPRT), entitled Progress in the Penal System (PIPS): a framework for penal reform (2022), was published in 2023.1 PIPS aimed to set out a clear vision for the future of the Irish penal system, taking as its starting point that Ireland, as a small wealthy country, should work towards becoming a leading model of international best penal practice. In total, 28 standards were assessed in 2022, including drug and alcohol treatment. 

Farming is a high-pressure occupation that carries numerous risks for farmers, many of which are beyond their control.1 In Ireland, this pressure is borne by a shrinking population of farmers, most of them older men, working on a declining number of farms.2 As a result of these pressures, some farming populations have a higher prevalence of mental health issues,3 while some populations of farmers are known to drink heavily.4

Background 

Problem gambling is a considerable burden on society as well as on persons who gamble and those around them. In Ireland, about one-half of the population (49%) gambles in some form, while 0.3% (or 12,000 people) engage in problem gambling and tens of thousands more are deemed at risk.1 

In 2022, legislation was introduced in Ireland to provide for the establishment of a new regulatory body – the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) – with a focus on public safety and wellbeing and including an addiction specialist within its members.2
Coinciding with the establishment of the GRAI, the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) was commissioned to review relevant policy issues.3