Survey of injecting Drug Users (PDF 34 KB)

Summary of the findings for 2005/06 from the four collaborating centres in Northen Ireland

Survey of Injecting Drug Users: Summary (PDF 57.6 KB)

Survey of Injecting Drug Users: Summary of the findings for 2004/05 from the four collaborating centres in Northern Ireland

Shooting Up: Infections among injecting drug users in the United Kingdom 2005 - Northern Ireland Summary (PDF 149 KB)

Shooting Up: Infections among injecting drug users in the United Kingdom - Northern Ireland Summary

Survey of Injecting Drug Users (PDF 39 KB)

Summary of the findings for 2003/04 in Northern Ireland

Survey of Injecting Drug Users - 2002/2003 (PDF 152 KB)

Summary of the findings for 2002/03 from the five collaborating centres in NI

Survey of Injecting Drug Users - 2002 (PDF 165 KB)

Summary of the findings for 2002 from the five collaborating centres in NI

A Study to Examine the Attitudes of General Practitioners Towards Drug Users in the North East Region of Ireland

The research examines general practitioners attitudes and how these effect the management of drug misusers within their practice. The methodology is quantitative in approach. The instrument used is a structured postal questionnaire. Participants include all general practitioners within the North East region of Ireland. Anonymity and confidentiality of all respondents are guaranteed. Data was collected over a six week period, under the following headings - attitudes and beliefs, factors influencing treatment, treatment options, training and demographics. Attitudes and beliefs towards drug users were measured using a five point Likert scale ranging from strongly agrees to strongly disagree. The data was analysed with the aid of a computer package, SPSS allowing descriptive statistics to be presented. Results indicate that the majority of respondents are male. There appears to be sympathy towards drug users and that treatment approaches should be holistic. However, there appears to be a major lack of confidence in treating and managing drug misusers. Patient, social and practice factors all influence the decision to the drug misuser. Treatment options are varied, ranging from methadone maintenance to referral for residential treatment. However, a number of respondents offer no treatment for drug misusers. General practitioners do not feel adequately trained in treating and/or managing this client group. Results indicate that improved communication, ongoing education and more research is needed in this area.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

A guide to working in partnership: employability provision for drug users.

The aim of this guide is to identify the key principles of partnership working and to provide case study examples of how partnership works in practice in employability provision for drug users. Developing and sustaining new and valuable relationships with the world beyond drugs is a key factor in sustainable recovery for drug users. This includes the worlds of employment, training and education. Research suggests that employment can aid the process of recovery. A qualitative study of drug users in Scotland highlighted the importance of employment and other activities to fill the ‘void’ left by drug useThis resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

A Survey of Health Service Utilisation and Health Needs of a Population of Patient with HIV/ AIDS

This study described the demographic and medical characteristics of a population of patients with HIV/AIDS attending the department of Genito-Urinary Medicine (GUM) at a major Dublin hospital. The study population's utilisation of statutory and voluntary medical and social services at primary care level, satisfaction with services received and perceived need for services examined. The information obtained was used to make recommendations concerning the provision of care to patients with HIV/AIDS. The study was carried out between February and November 1994. Data was collected from a consecutive sample of eighty inpatients using n interviewer-administered questionnaire which contained both closed and open questions. The first forty patients interviewed were reviewed six months following the initial interview to document changes in physical condition and uptake of medical services over that time period. Data for the second part of the study was obtained by review of the patients' medical case notes and interview with the individual hospital medical social worker assigned to each patient. Over ninety percent of respondents were from the Greater Dublin Area. Almost three quarters were intravenous drug users (IVDUs), and the majority of these patients came from south inner city Dublin. The methodology was biased towards sampling patients with advanced disease and 73% had CDC Stage 4 disease. Twenty percent required some assistance with the activities of daily living when first interviewed. Most were reliant on informal carers. Social and physical dependency increased substantially over the six month period of the follow-up study of forty patients. Financial difficulties were identified as a particular area of need. Only ten percent of those interviewed were in current employment and over 80% were dependent on statutory payments. There is a need for greater co-ordination between the providers of services to patients HIV/AIDS and an improved system of data collection regarding patients' uptake of services and unmet needs is required to assist in future service planning.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

A Review of Harm Reduction Approaches in Ireland and Evidence from the International Literature

This report examines international literature on harm reduction and also presents primary research in health services in Ireland on approaches to harm reduction. The aim of harm reduction efforts is to minimise the risks stemming from shared use of drug-use paraphernalia, such as needle exchange programmes. One of the criticisms of Irish drug services is that the restricted opening hours and limited number of exchange services may contribute to continued sharing of needles among drug users. The report points out that other non-injecting paraphernalia such as spoons are also associated with the risk of contracting diseases, yet services do not as yet focus on them. The report notes that specific risk factors that contribute to risky drug practices include youth, a shorter injecting history, confinement to prison, homelessness and being involved in a sexual relationship with another intravenous drug user. The report suggests that harm reduction practices can be introduced into a prison population without a subsequent increase in drug consumption rates. The provision of consumption rooms and the prescription of heroin are also discussed, with the report noting that legislation would have to altered to implement these new strategies.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

A Report on Drug Abuse in Dublin

This report consists of a number of case histories and taped interviews with drug users in which they speak about their reasons for taking drugs. The author also analyses the drug trafficking scene, which is based on the importation of drugs from London, Northern Ireland, robbery of chemists' shops and forged prescriptions. The author concludes that adequately equipped drug clinics, advisory services and better police precautions all have an important part to play in dealing with the drugs problem. He also concludes the Drug Squad needs to be strengthened and educational programmes about the dangers of drugs need to be introduced into schools.This resource was contributed by The National Documentation Centre on Drug Use.

Shooting up 2009 revised final

Shooting Up Infections among injecting drug users in the united Kingdom 2008 - An update 2009

Shooting up Report 2008 (PDF 1.6MB)

Shooting Up: Infections among injecting drug users in the United Kingdom 2007- An Update: October 2008

Shooting Up - An Update: October 2007 (PDF 1208 KB)

Infections among injecting drug users in the United Kingdom 2006

Shooting Up An Update: October 2006 (PDF 1MB)

Infections among injecting drug users in the UK 2005 - An Update: October 2006