There was an 8% decrease in the number of drug poisoning deaths in 2022 compared to the previous year according to latest figures from the Health Research Board (HRB).
343 drug poisoning deaths were recorded in Ireland in 2022, compared to 373 in 2021.
Cocaine was the second most common drug involved in poisoning overall in 2022. It was involved in one in three drug poisoning deaths that year.
Eight in ten deaths involving cocaine also involved other drugs, most commonly heroin, methadone and other prescription drugs.
Between 2013 and 2022, cocaine poisoning deaths increased by 259%, the largest increase of any drug group.
The main drug groups are opioids, benzodiazepines, cocaine, antiepileptic/gabapentinoids, and antidepressants.
The median age of those who died in 2022 was 45 years for men, and 46 for women.
Two in five people had a history of mental health issues and one in two were alone when the poisoning occurred. Almost one in ten were injecting at the time of death.
At least two in five were not in employment; most were living in stable accommodation; almost half lived in Dublin (city or county); and more than one in ten were experiencing homelessness.
Men accounted for the majority of drug poisoning deaths in 2022, similar to previous years.
Cocaine was the top drug implicated and was involved in two in five of male deaths in 2022. Cocaine was followed by methadone, alprazolam and diazepam.
For women, methadone was the top drug involved in poisoning deaths in 2022, when it was implicated in three in ten of these deaths. Methadone was followed by diazepam and pregabalin.
Most heroin deaths (82%) were among men.
Gabapentinoid/antiepileptic drugs, including pregabalin, were implicated in a greater proportion of deaths among women, as were antidepressants.
While cocaine and heroin were the main illicit drugs implicated in drug poisoning deaths in 2022, the majority involved prescribable drugs.
Opioids accounted for two in three deaths
Opioids accounted for two in three deaths. Methadone was the most common opioid, and most deaths involving methadone were polysubstance poisonings.
Methadone increased 31% between 2013 and 2022 but decreased 19% between 2020 and 2022.
Heroin also decreased 11% over the period 2013 to 2022, with a notable decrease of 36% between 2020 and 2022.
In 2022, alcohol was implicated in one in five deaths, along with other drugs. Alcohol as part of polysubstance poisoning decreased 26% between 2020 and 2022.
HRB Chief Executive Dr Gráinne Gorman described the figures as conveying the devastating impact of drug use in Ireland.
"Let us not forget, especially as we approach Christmas, that behind the numbers are people, including children, who have lost loved ones," she said.
"This is why the HRB does this work; to better understand why and how these deaths are happening. This can help inform preventative measures, which will ultimately save lives."
Dr Suzi Lyons, Head of National Health Information Systems at the HRB noted that the latest figures showed that cocaine accounted for the largest increase in poisoning deaths during the ten-year period from 2013 and 2022, increasing by 259%.
"The vast majority of deaths involve prescribable drugs such as methadone and diazepam, and mixing drugs is a major factor in deaths," she said.
She added that the profile the majority of those who died were men, in their 30s and 40s, and many had a history of mental health issues.
