Recent publications

OʼGorman A and Schatz E (2021) Harm Reduction Journal, 18: 17.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/33975/ 

This paper is based on the presentations and discussions from a workshop on ʼCivil Society Involvement in Drug Policyʼ hosted by the Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network at the International Society for the Study of Drugs Policy (ISSDP) annual conference in Paris, 2019. In the aftermath of the workshop, the authors analysed the papers and discussions and identified the key themes arising to inform CSI [civil society involvement] in developing future harm reduction policy and practice.

Civil society spaces are colonised by a broad range of civil society actors lobbying from different ideological standpoints including those advocating for a ’drug free world’ and those advocating for harm reduction. In these competitive arena, it may be difficult for harm reduction orientated CSOs [civil society organisations] to influence the policy process. However, the current Covid-19 public health crisis clearly demonstrates the benefits of partnership between CSOs and political institutions to address the harm reduction needs of people who use drugs. The lessons drawn from our workshop serve to inform all partners on this pathway.

Windle J and Murphy P (2021) Drugs: Education Prevention and Policy, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34014/

This review found that head shops were largely tolerated when they sold cannabis paraphernalia (2000–2008), possibly indicating the normalisation of cannabis in Ireland. Some mild condemnatory language emerges between 2008 and 2009 when head shops began selling some new psychoactive substances [NPS]. The review suggests that the 2010 Act was partly a product of a moral panic, driven and managed by a range of moral entrepreneurs and involving both peaceful and violent protests. Unlike some traditional moral panics, young people were not identified as folk devils but rather as under threat from a new drug distribution model (head shops) and new drugs (NPS).

Carolan D (2021) Irish Journal of Medical Science, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/33754/

This study aimed to chronicle the development of medical and scientific opinion on the subject of substance use disorders (SUD) outcomes in ADHD [attention deficit hyperactivity disorder] and to appraise most recently published research in this sphere.

Consideration of the impact that variable treatment trajectories may have on the risk of later SUD development is recommended, with further research potentially leading to the development of different management pathways based on an individual's multivariate treatment profile.

Calnan S and Davoren MP (2021) Nordic Studies on Alcohol and Drugs, Early online
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34130/  

This qualitative study aimed to address this gap [in research] by examining college students’ perspectives in the context of an alcohol prevention programme for college students in Ireland.

Viewing the findings through a social-ecological lens, students seemed to collectively acknowledge the different layers of influence on student drinking, acknowledging the complex nature of this issue. Providing a greater variety of leisure spaces, including alcohol-free environments, was viewed particularly favourably by the student participants in terms of solutions proposed.

Norris BA, Smith A, Doran S and Barry M (2021) Pharmacoepidemiology and Drug Safety,
30: 1003–1011.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34072/ 

This study investigated strong opioid prescribing in Irish General Medical Services (GMS) patients over a 10-year period.

This study found an overall increase in strong opioid prescribing in Ireland between 2010 and 2019, particularly in older adults. Tramadol was the most frequently prescribed product, with oxycodone and tapentadol prescribing increasing markedly over the study period.

Daly FP, OʼDonnell K, Davoren MP, Noone C, Weatherburn P, Quinlan M, Foley B, Igoe D and Barrett PM (2021) Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 223: 108698
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34090/ 

Alcohol consumption is a major public health concern in Ireland. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) disproportionately affects men who have sex with men (MSM). However, little is known about the prevalence of AUD in this group in Ireland specifically, and the characteristics of MSM who may struggle with this.

The prevalence of AUD appears to be higher in the MSM population compared to the general male population in Ireland. Targeted interventions may be warranted to reduce the burden of AUD among MSM.

Gamage NM, Darker CD and Smyth BP (2021) Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34026/

This study aimed to examine the impact of an outpatient substance use treatment programme upon the psychological wellbeing of adolescents.

The findings indicate that substance use treatment for adolescents is associated with important psychological and behavioural improvements.

Reynolds CME, Purdy J, Rodriguez L and McAvoy H (2021) European Journal of Public Health, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34071/

This study aimed to identify factors associated with changes in alcohol and tobacco consumption during the strictest period of public health social measures (PHSM) ʼlockdownʼ.

A mixed picture was evident in terms of changes in consumption among current smokers and drinkers. Increased consumption was more commonly reported than reductions. Increased consumption was associated with psychological distress and socio-economic factors. Policies and services should consider a response to widening inequalities in harmful consumption.

OʼCarroll A and Wainwright D (2021) BJGP Open,
5(3): 0031.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34052/

This research sought to explore barriers to health service usage for people experiencing homelessness.

There are certain recurrent interactions between people experiencing homelessness and doctors that result in the exclusion of people experiencing homelessness from health services.

Rice O (2021) The Dublin University Journal of Criminology, 1: 53-76.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34056/

This article explores the nature of public attitudes towards the use of imprisonment in Ireland in 2019 through the use of a quantitative survey.

The survey demonstrates that knowledge of the prison system and education level are positively correlated with rehabilitative attitudes towards crime and punishment, and in light of these findings, the article recommends a public information campaign to combat punitive rhetoric surrounding crime and punishment.

Comiskey C, Galligan K, Flanagan J, Deegan J, Farnann J and Hall A (2021) Journal of Addictions Nursing, 32(1): e11-e20.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/33854/

The aim of this study was to address this gap [in research] within addiction nursing and to develop an evidence-based addiction nursing model.

Results informed the development of the Healthy Addiction Treatment Recovery Model. The model refocused services on clientsʼ objective needs and eradicated entrenched practices.

White D (2021) The Dublin University Journal of Criminology 1: 77-95.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34055/

Cannabis has historically been Ireland’s most consumed illicit drug. Recent years, however, have witnessed a significant rise in cocaine consumption, with Gardaí and drug counsellors recently reporting the drug’s availability in every village, town and city in Ireland, as well as rural areas. The research site for this study is no different: interviews and media reports note the increasing availability of different drugs, including illegally obtained prescription drugs and MDMA, but especially cocaine.

The literature on Irish drug markets is slim, and almost non-existent for rural drug markets. As such, this article seeks to fill a gap in the literature by investigating the development of a rural Irish drug market in Ireland, its history and the form it currently takes. Within this discussion the article will critically explore the existence of county line-type operations in Ireland and migration patterns of Irish drug dealers.

McHugh R and McBride O (2021) Alcohol, 94: 9–15.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/34032/

The aim of this paper is to examine the alcohol-related consequences experienced by adults who experienced a two-week period of low mood and identify as a ʼself-medicatorʼ compared to those who do not.

It was revealed that the hazardous drinking group who self-medicated experienced more consequences even at low levels of severity. As the self-medicating hazardous drinking group also showed the highest estimates for alcohol use disorder severity, this may indicate that this group are high functioning self-medicators who are trying to regulate their drinking, and may not be as clinically high risk as expected, due to their drinking patterns.

Higgins K, OʼNeill N, OʼHara L, Jordan J-A, McCann M, OʼNeill T, Clarke M, OʼNeill T, Kelly G and Campbell A (2021) Addiction, 116(9): 2454–2462.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/33716/

This study aimed to provide public health-related research evidence on types and usage patterns of new psychoactive substances (NPS), developmental pathways into NPS and decision-making factors for, and associated harms of, NPS use.

In Northern Ireland, new psychoactive substances appear to be a feature of broader polydrug use rather than a standalone class of drug use.

Villani J and Barry MM (2021) Health Promotion International, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/33798/ 

This study explores Travellersʼ perceptions of mental health and its determinants. It also identifies the most relevant factors for promoting positive mental health and wellbeing among this socially excluded group.

The findings suggest that Travellersʼ mental health is multidimensional and requires a socio-ecological approach that addresses the wider determinants of health. Community mental health promotion initiatives should focus on reducing discrimination, enhancing social and emotional wellbeing and self-esteem, improvement of living conditions, reduced mental health stigma, and the promotion of Traveller culture and positive self-identity.

Bowe AK, Doyle F, Stanistreet D, OʼConnell E, Durcan M, Major E, OʼDonovan D and Kavanagh P (2021) International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 18(1): 332.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/33740/

The study is a cross-sectional analysis of the 2018 Planet Youth survey completed by 15-16 year olds in the West of Ireland in 2018. The outcome of interest was current nicotine product use, defined as use at least once in the past 30 days.

This is the first study to show, among a generalisable sample, that dual-use is the most prevalent behaviour among adolescent nicotine product users in Ireland. Risk factor profiles differ across categories of use and prevention initiatives must be cognisant of this.

Millar SR, Mongan D, OʼDwyer C, Long J, Smyth BP, Perry IJ and Galvin B (2021) European Journal of Public Health, 31(2): 441–447.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/33859/

This study determined factors associated with recent and current cannabis use. In addition, we explored factors related to having a cannabis use disorder (CUD) – defined using the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Psychiatric Disorders – among current users.

Males, adolescents/young adults and individuals with lower educational levels are more likely to be current users of cannabis and are at a greater risk of having a CUD. Health professionals should be aware of these factors to improve detection and prevention of CUD.

Mayock P and Butler S (2021) Drugs: Education Prevention and Policy, Early online.
https://www.drugsandalcohol.ie/33894/

Conducted in Ireland and drawing on data from a qualitative study of 25 long-term clients of methadone treatment, this paper examines the stigma narratives of patients who are growing older as MMT [methadone maintenance treatment] patients.

The findings presented reflect the marginal position of addiction treatment within the wider healthcare system in Ireland and a failure to normalize methadone treatment.

Drugnet Ireland is the quarterly newsletter of Ireland’s focal point for the EMCDDA and is produced in collaboration with the HRB National Drugs Library. Drugnet Ireland is published by the Health Research Board.

Managing editor:    Brian Galvin
Copy-editing:           O’Hanlon Media

© Health Research Board, 2021

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