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16/07/2013
110 Drug Deaths Last Year In NI
About 110 people died last year as a result of the misuse of both illegal and legal drugs, according to Health Minister Edwin Poots.
This was the message from the Health Minister following a meeting with the PSNI and community organisations.
The meeting followed the unexplained deaths of eight people across Northern Ireland recently. Speculation had mounted that the deaths were caused by a contaminated, green 'ecstasy' pill, but claims of one single cause have since been recanted by police.
Speaking following the meeting the Minister said: "The recent deaths of eight people in Northern Ireland are tragic and my thoughts and sympathies are with the families but I must make it clear that this is by no means an isolated incident.
"Around 110 people died last year as a result of drugs misuse, whether that’s prescription drugs or illegal drugs - about nine people per month. This is far too many and totally unacceptable. No drugs are safe, the illegal drugs industry is not regulated and people have absolutely no idea what they are putting into their bodies so I urge people to think again before taking any illegal drugs."
Mr Poots was joined at the meeting by representatives from FASA (Forum for Alcohol and Substance Abuse) and ASCERT (Action on Substances through Community Education and Related Training).
The Minister continued: "I am particularly concerned about the ongoing availability of new psychoactive substances (often mislabelled legal highs). These substances are not safe and in many cases when tested they have been found to contain banned drugs. Therefore, by taking these substances you are risking your health, and also risking being prosecuted."
(IT/MH)
This was the message from the Health Minister following a meeting with the PSNI and community organisations.
The meeting followed the unexplained deaths of eight people across Northern Ireland recently. Speculation had mounted that the deaths were caused by a contaminated, green 'ecstasy' pill, but claims of one single cause have since been recanted by police.
Speaking following the meeting the Minister said: "The recent deaths of eight people in Northern Ireland are tragic and my thoughts and sympathies are with the families but I must make it clear that this is by no means an isolated incident.
"Around 110 people died last year as a result of drugs misuse, whether that’s prescription drugs or illegal drugs - about nine people per month. This is far too many and totally unacceptable. No drugs are safe, the illegal drugs industry is not regulated and people have absolutely no idea what they are putting into their bodies so I urge people to think again before taking any illegal drugs."
Mr Poots was joined at the meeting by representatives from FASA (Forum for Alcohol and Substance Abuse) and ASCERT (Action on Substances through Community Education and Related Training).
The Minister continued: "I am particularly concerned about the ongoing availability of new psychoactive substances (often mislabelled legal highs). These substances are not safe and in many cases when tested they have been found to contain banned drugs. Therefore, by taking these substances you are risking your health, and also risking being prosecuted."
(IT/MH)
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