Research on drug use in Ballymun, Crumlin and Bray launched today found that new indicators of emerging drug problems in communities was needed.
'A Community Drugs Study: Developing Community Indicators for Problem Drug Use' commissioned by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs (NACD) examined the evolution of problem drug use over a 10-year period.
Speaking at the launch Minister of State Noel Ahern said the study showed many Government-funded initiatives were working.
He said there were "marked" improvements in early school leaving and unemployment and a fall in some types of crime.
"I am aware of the concerns raised by communities about the changing patterns of drug misuse and its consequences for local communities and I can assure them that these are being addressed through the increased resources provided by Government," he said.
Dr Des Corrigan, chairman of the NACD said however, that some of the findings were disappointing.
"While experience of crime had reduced, local crime rates have started to grow again. Polydrug use, which means the use of more than one drug such as alcohol for example with other substances like cannabis or cocaine, is a cause for concern," Dr Corrigan said.
Among the findings was that local reports of drug-related deaths were not reflected in official statistics.
The NACD recommended the development of Community Drugs Indicators to identify drugs problems in communities which aid the development of a quicker response.
Mairéad Lyons director at NACD said: "The way in which data on drug related issues are generally gathered makes it extremely difficult to know exactly what is happening at a local level within a community.