Last year, cannabis went past heroin to become the “most common problem drug” being used extensively amid new cases reported in relation to treatment programmes.

In this regard, a report compiled by the Health Research Board showed treatment trends related to the use of drugs in Ireland during 2005 and 2010. It revealed that the number of cases going for drug treatment programmes increased by a massive 52% during the period of six years that was considered by the report.

Earlier in 2010, cannabis went past heroin to be termed as the biggest “main problem drug” reported among the majority of new cases opting for the treatment system.

During the same period, in excess of 1,253 cases represented cannabis as the main problem drug in comparison with 1,172 concerning opiates. On a whole, around 7,878 cases involving treatment in the year 2010.

In general, heroin was most frequently represented the main problem drug, marking 61% of cases coming for treatment during that period. One out of five cases referred to cannabis as their main problem drug even as cocaine marked around 11% of the cases.

But still, in excess of two-thirds of total cases, or around 68%, accounted for problem use of over one substance, most frequently alcohol, cannabis, benzodiazepines and cocaine.

While expressing his opinion in this regard, the lead author of the study, Delphine Bellerose, claimed that the high percentage of cases involving multiple substances “is a challenge for service providers as this group often requires repeated episodes of treatment over time”.

In addition, more than 50% of the cases going for drug treatment during the period from 2005 to 2010 started taking drugs before or at the age of 15. However, the most common age for most of the cases going for treatment programmes was around 28.