Alcohol continues to be the main drug for which treatment is sought in the south-east, according to figures just published by the South Eastern Health Board.
Almost 2,000 people sought treatment from the board's services last year, an increase of 500 on the previous 12 months.
The increase, however, was due in part to the employment of extra counsellors by the board and improved reporting procedures.
In its annual report on the numbers seeking treatment for drug misuse, the board says 77 per cent of people presenting last year sought help in dealing with alcohol abuse, an increase of 5 per cent on the previous year.
The other main substances cited were cannabis (17 per cent), ecstasy (5 per cent) and heroin (3 per cent). One in five of those seeking treatment had referred themselves to a health board service, and more than half had never been previously treated for drug misuse.
Three-quarters of those attending for treatment were male, and 85 per cent lived in stable accommodation. A significant number, 16 per cent, were aged between 10 and 19.
The report , Data Co-ordination Overview of Drug Misuse 2001, stresses that the figures are based on those presenting for treatment and are not representative of the prevalence of drug use in the region. The majority of clients presenting last year were in employment.
Treatment services in the region are provided by the Aiséirí centres in Cahir and Wexford, the Aislinn centre in Ballyragget, Co Kilkenny, and the drug treatment clinics in Carlow and Waterford.
