Overdose 'hotspots' in Dublin
by Suzi Lyons
Globally, opioids are one of the main causes of death among problem drug users. In countries with a high prevalence of heroin use, including Ireland, opiates are implicated in the majority of overdoses. Acute opioid overdoses impose a considerable burden on frontline health services such as ambulances and emergency departments. While the impact of environmental factors (e.g. deprivation, physical characteristics of area, allocation of health services) on the incidence of overdose has not been widely studied, historical data show that overdoses and associated fatalities are more common in areas where there is increased drug use, drug dealing and other drug-related activities, and addiction services have been set up in these areas.
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