The number of recorded drug users receiving treatment in Northern Ireland has risen by almost a quarter, new statistics revealed today.
A British department of health bulletin on information collected through the Northern Ireland Drug Misuse Database revealed 1,746 people registered their addiction over the year ending March 31.
This was 337 more than the corresponding period last year and an increase of 24%.
Over three-quarters (76%) of users who presented themselves were male.
The figures also revealed over one-third (37%) were in their twenties, while a further quarter (24%) were under 20.
Cannabis remained the most commonly-reported drug of misuse.
But the proportion using it as a main drug fell by 6% from 52% in 2003/04 to 46% in 2004/05.
Registered cocaine and heroin use increased.
Heroin accounted for 14% of clients in 2004/05 compared to 12% in 2003/04. Over three-quarters (76%) of those seeking treatment for heroin as the main problem drug had been treated before.
The proportion of cocaine users rose from 5% in 2003/04 to 7% in 2004/05.
The use of benzodiazepines also increased from 7% in 2003/04 to 10% in 2004/05.
The figures for individuals who had ever injected drugs remained almost constant - 17% in 2004/05 compared to 18% in 2003/04.
The Drug Misuse Database in Northern Ireland was established in April 2000 to record information on the profile of service users, the types of drugs misused by those presenting for treatment, their previous history of treatment, the injecting and sharing behaviour of users and the previous history of testing for viruses such as HIV and hepatitis.