Polysubstance use – the consumption of multiple psychoactive substances within a short time frame – is increasingly recognised as a major public health issue. A new nationally representative study of young adults in Ireland, based on the Growing Up in Ireland (GUI) study cohort, sheds important light on the prevalence and risk factors associated with this behaviour.¹

In this research, which has been published in the journal Addiction, the authors followed more than 4,600 individuals from childhood into early adulthood, analysing their substance use at age 20 years. Using latent class analysis, the study identified four distinct patterns of use. 

In June 2025, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration provided an update on the progress made in addressing the objectives and key actions identified in the Youth Justice Strategy 2021–2027 (YJS) for 2024.1 The YJS is centred on a developmental framework that aims to target ongoing and emerging challenges in youth justice in Ireland.2 A key strength of this Strategy is that its development was informed by an expert steering group representing key stakeholders across Ireland. The implementation statement focuses on several strategic objectives identified in Appendix 3 of the YJS and builds on previous updates for 2021, 2022, and 2023.2

The Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) is the policy-making body of the United Nations with responsibility for drug control and other drug-related matters. It meets annually and monitors the global drug situation, develops strategies for drug control, and recommends measures to address the problems caused by drug use. It held its 68^th session at its headquarters in Vienna in March 2025. Approximately 2,000 government representatives and other stakeholders attended the session.¹

Background

The tenth wave of the Healthy Ireland Survey, carried out by Ipsos and commissioned by the Department of Health, involves a representative sample from the general population aged 15 years and over to increase knowledge of the population’s health and health behaviours [1]. Telephone interviews took place with 7,556 respondents between October 2024 and April 2025. Along with questions about alcohol use, the survey examined general health, tobacco use, e-cigarette and nicotine pouches, sleep, menopause, contraceptive use, use of health services, and caring responsibilities. Questions about alcohol use are routinely asked in each wave of the Survey but in the 2025 Survey, additional questions were included to understand the public’s consumption of Zero percent (0.0%) alcohol products.

On 4 June 2025, the report Evaluation of Parents Under Pressure Programme in the Community: A Coolmine-Led Initiative was launched.¹ In attendance were staff from Coolmine Therapeutic Community (referred to as ‘Coolmine’ for the rest of this article), parents who had taken part in the Parents Under Pressure (PuP) programme, policy-makers, and other stakeholders. The evaluation is the work of a team from Coolmine. At the launch, the organisation’s Chief Executive, Pauline McKeown, described PuP as “core to Coolmine services”.

Introduction

Latest data from the National Drug-Related Deaths Index (NDRDI) show that there were 343 drug poisoning deaths in Ireland in 2022, representing an 8% decrease on 2021 figures.¹ The NDRDI bulletin presents data on deaths in 2022, with key trends for the period 2013–2022. It describes the number of deaths and mortality rates, as well as the circumstances of deaths, including poisoning drugs implicated, location, place, and context of deaths, and characteristics of the deceased. Trends must be interpreted in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic and related public health measures from March 2020.

The Tabor Group is a provider of residential addiction treatment services in Ireland. It aims to offer hope, healing, and recovery to clients suffering from addictions through integrated and caring services. In addition to two residential facilities, the organisation provides a continuing care programme to clients who have completed treatment to assist with their recovery as well as a community-based programme. Its family support programme offers counselling to families whose loved ones are struggling with an addiction. In 2025, the Tabor Group published its annual report for 2024.¹ This article highlights services provided by the Tabor Group to individuals with a substance use addiction in 2024.

A new study published in PLOS One explores how family dynamics and extracurricular involvement influence stimulant drug use among Irish adolescents.¹ Drawing on data from the 2020 Planet Youth Survey, the researchers examined nearly 5,000 secondary school students across Galway, Mayo, and Roscommon in order to assess lifetime use of cocaine and ecstasy, and to identify associated social and environmental factors.

Background

Cocaine and ecstasy remain among the most commonly used stimulant drugs worldwide, with both substances posing serious health risks, including cardiovascular complications, neurological damage, and heightened risks of both depression and suicidality.

The Courts Service Annual Report 2024 was published on 7 July 2025. While the report presented data for all criminal cases arising within the Irish justice system between January and December 2024, this article only reports on statistics related to prosecutions for drug offences.¹ The data provided are for overall drug law offences. The Courts Service in Ireland does not distinguish between the different supply offences and possession/use offences (Courts Service, personal communication, 2017).

The Danger of Viral Exposure (DOVE) Service in the Rotunda Hospital, Dublin was established in order to meet the specific needs of pregnant women who have or are at risk of blood-borne or sexually transmitted bacterial or viral infections during pregnancy. Exposure may also occur through illicit substance use. Figures from the DOVE Service for 2023 were published in the hospital’s annual report in 2024.¹

Clinical activity

Figure 1 shows the number of women who booked into the DOVE Service for antenatal care each year during the period 2013–2023. It also shows the diagnosis of specific viral diseases for these women. During 2023, some 173 women booked into the DOVE Service for antenatal care. Among those attending the service, 100 were serology positive; of these:

A recent study published in the journal BJPsych Bulletin sheds light on the growing concern over hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) and its apparent role in precipitating psychotic episodes.¹ Conducted by a team of Irish psychiatrists and researchers from the University of Galway and Trinity College Dublin, the research explores the prevalence of HHC use among psychiatric admissions at University Hospital Galway and raises significant public health and legislative concerns.

A new study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy highlights the rapid rise in the use of hexahydrocannabinol (HHC) in Ireland and the potential public health implications associated with the drug.¹ HHC, a semi-synthetic cannabinoid derived from cannabidiol (CBD), was marketed as a legal alternative to cannabis until its control under Irish law in July 2025.

The research, conducted by experts at the Health Research Board (HRB), the Health Service Executive (HSE), the School of Public Health at University College Cork, and the European Drugs Agency (EUDA), analysed data from more than 2,300 adults who took part in the 2024 European Web Survey on Drugs. These participants had used drugs in the previous year and responded to a dedicated module on HHC use.

Coolmine Therapeutic Community is a drug and alcohol treatment centre providing community, day, and residential services to men and women with problematic substance use in Ireland, and to their families. Established in 1973, Coolmine was founded on the philosophies of the therapeutic community approach to addiction treatment. This is primarily a self-help approach in which residents are responsible for their own recovery, with peers and staff acting as facilitators of change. Participants are expected to contribute to the general running of the community and to their own recovery by actively participating in educational activities and in group and individual therapy. At year-end 2023, Coolmine had 15 facilities and 22 satellite clinics operational across Ireland (Figure 1) and it provided treatment and recovery services to 2,523 individuals and their families. This represents a 6.5% increase on 2022. Programmes provided by Coolmine in 2023 are highlighted below.¹

McHugh R, McLafferty M, Brown N, et al. (2025) Alcohol, 124: 89–96. Available from: https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/42985/