Crack cocaine has become increasingly problematic for some marginalised communities. The recent identification of particular sites in Ballymun, Dublin associated with crack cocaine use has raised serious concerns of an emerging crack cocaine problem in the local area, similar to other communities. Despite the increase in levels of usage and treatment-seeking for crack cocaine use, there is limited national and international research available on the nature and extent of its use. Local anecdotal evidence in Ballymun suggests that the problem is widespread and having a detrimental impact on the health and wellbeing of users, their families, and the wider community. While drug issues and related harms are not a new phenomenon in this community, this is the first time that Ballymun has faced a crack cocaine issue of such proportions. In light of these developments, a recent study explored crack cocaine use experiences in the Ballymun community with a view to informing the establishment of a local policy and practice/intervention evidence base for crack cocaine in Ballymun.¹

Most men who have sex with men (MSM) and who use recreational drugs do so on a sporadic basis, for specific purposes such as partying, socialising, or having sex. However, evidence suggests that among MSM who use drugs, there is a preference for ‘sex drugs’, including alkyl nitrites (‘poppers’), crystal methamphetamine (‘crystal meth’), club drugs (including ketamine and ecstasy), and new psychoactive substances.¹ Use of these drugs is associated with higher-risk sexual behaviours and sexually transmitted disease acquisition.² Little is known about the prevalence and determinants of drug use among MSM in Ireland. However, the number of HIV diagnoses has been increasing among MSM in Ireland in recent years and drug use among this population may be a contributory factor.

Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs) provide clinical, forensic, and supportive care to victims of sexual violence in Ireland. There are six SATUs across Ireland, including Waterford, Mullingar, Dublin, Cork, Galway, and Letterkenny. SATUs offer three streams of care for survivors of sexual violence. These include forensic examination following the reporting of the crime to An Garda Síochána; health assessment and care without reporting the crime to An Garda Síochána; and healthcare and forensic examination with safe storage of evidence allowing for subsequent reporting to An Garda Síochána.

The national SATU services publishes an annual report on service provision. Identifying patterns and trends in service utilisation provides each SATU with the opportunity to adapt to service user needs. This article summarises the 2019 annual report.¹

A visiting committee is appointed to each Irish prison under the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act 1925 and the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Order 1925. Members of the 12 visiting committees are appointed by the Minister for Justice and Equality for a term not exceeding three years. The function of prison visiting committees is to visit, at frequent intervals, the prison to which they are appointed and hear any complaints that may be made to them by any prisoner. They report to the Minister for Justice and Equality regarding any abuses observed or found, and any repairs which they think are urgently needed. Prison visiting committee members have free access, either collectively or individually, to every part of the prison to which their committee is appointed. Information from prison visiting committee reports relating to drug use in prisons for 2018 is summarised below.1