A new index providing accurate information on drug-related deaths has been developed to show the true cost of drug misuse, it was announced today.
The new National Drug-Related Deaths Index was established as part of the National Drugs Strategy, which highlighted the need to gather higher quality information about the drug problem and develop an accurate mechanism for recording deaths.
Information for the index, which will be funded by the Health Department and the Justice Department, will be collected and analysed by the Health Research Board's (HRB) Drug Misuse Research Division.
The data will be gathered from a number of sources including the General Mortality Register, the Coroner's Service, the Hospital In-Patient Enquiry Scheme and information from the Central Treatment List.
Figures from the Central Statistics Office, which were published recently by the HRB, found more than 750 people died in Ireland as a direct result of drug misuse between 1990 and 2002.
The board's report showed the number of direct drug-related deaths increased substantially in the six years to 2000, and decreased in 2001.
The majority of the deaths occurred in the Dublin region, and were mainly in particular areas of economic and social disadvantage. There was also a steady increase in the number of deaths outside the capital.
At the unveiling of the index today, Minister of State at the Department of Health Sean Power said current Irish statistics only recorded deaths that occurred as a direct result of drug misuse.
"This new index will be a significant step towards better quality data and improved accuracy on the true cause of death."
PA