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Alcohol poisoning kills at least one person a week in Ireland and is a contributing factor in a third of all overdose-related deaths, new research shows.

In the most recent figures published by the Health Research Board, nearly two people died every day in Ireland during 2013 as a result of poisoning, trauma or medical causes associated with drug use.

“There are no easy solutions to addressing what is a very complex problem,” said Aodhán Ó Ríordán.

“That’s why government has taken a number of actions to reduce drug-related deaths, including the expansion of needle exchange services and making naloxone for the treatment of opiate overdose more widely available.

“I believe lives will be saved as a result of these initiatives.”

The annual number of poisoning deaths rose from 361 in 2012 to 387 in 2013, with seven out of 10 deaths being male and the average age 41.

Alcohol was involved in 137 (35%) of poisonings (also referred to as overdoses), which is more than any other drug.

It was also responsible for 59 (15%) of poisoning deaths.

“It is not just people who use illegal drugs that are dying,” said Graham Love, chief executive at the Health Research Board. “Alcohol is implicated in more poisoning deaths than any other single drug, and alcohol poisonings alone claim one life per week.

“Mixing drugs is another dangerous behaviour that is resulting in death.

“For example, 80% of drugs implicated along with alcohol were prescription drugs.”

Alcohol poisoning kills one a week in Ireland

16th December, 2015 by Melita Kiely