ALMOST ONE in 10 people have taken anti-depressants at some stage in their lives, while 11 per cent have taken sedatives or tranquillisers, according to a survey on drug use in Ireland.
The research by the National Advisory Committee on Drugs on sedatives, tranquillisers and anti-depressants also found that 11 per cent of people using these drugs got them without a prescription.Of the 11 per cent, 7 per cent said they got the medication from someone they knew; 2 per cent said they got the drugs at a chemist.
The advisory committee has recommended that the sale of prescription drugs without a prescription be discussed with the Pharmaceutical Society of Ireland.
Minister of State John Curran, who has responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy, said the report highlighted the need to focus on the abuse of legal as well as illegal drugs.
The research involved almost 7,000 people aged 15-64 surveyed on the island of Ireland between October 2006 and May 2007.
Dr Des Corrigan, chairman of the committee, said that “long-term State dependence, not being in paid work and lower levels of educational attainment are linked with higher prevalence rates”.
Women were more likely to use sedatives and antidepressants, he said, with 6 per cent of females reporting use in the last year, compared with 4 per cent of males. Lifetime use of such drugs was reported at 13 per cent for women and 8 per cent for men.
“The over-prescribing of benzodiazepines (BZDs) among disadvantaged vulnerable groups, in particular, opiate-dependent persons and females, is a major issue,” Dr Corrigan said.
Prevalence rates were higher among older people and those separated or divorced. The lifetime prevalence rate for sedatives or tranquillisers for adults aged 35-64 was 15 per cent, compared with 6 per cent for 15-34 year olds.
The average age of respondents when they first used sedatives was 29 years for men and 31 for women. For anti-depressants, the average age for first use was 34 years for men and 30 for women.
Fifty-seven per cent of users of sedatives or tranquillisers took them daily, or almost; 91 per cent of anti-depressant users did so.
