Donegal had 300 people looking for cannabis addiction treatment in five years

One new person per week seeks addiction treatment for cannabis use in Donegal.

Cannabis is the most common drug causing people to need addiction treatment in the county, and growing numbers of young people in Donegal have become addicted to cannabis, according to Cannabis Risk Alliance, a group of senior doctors, including GPs, Psychiatrists and Emergency Medicine consultants.

On average over the past five years (2017-21), there was at least one young person seeking out addiction treatment for a cannabis problem every week. There were 330 cases of cannabis addiction treated by addiction services in Donegal among young people under the age of 35 years across this five-year period.

The numbers seeking treatment for cannabis addiction were more than double those attending treatment 10 years earlier, during the period 2007-2011.

From 2017 to 2021, cannabis was the most common drug causing young people to seek addiction treatment in each of the five individual years in this age range. Overall, there were 46% more cases due to cannabis in comparison to cocaine, cocaine being the second most common drug problem.

In keeping with national trends, of those entering treatment in Donegal with cannabis addiction in 2017-2021, 72% were male. Among these young people with cannabis addiction, the most common source of referral was via a GP, who accounted for over one third (38%) of referrals and a further 28% of referrals came from hospitals or other health services. There were no referrals from the criminal justice system.

Most (61%) were living with their parents. Eight per cent were students, 57% were unemployed and 21% were working.

“I meet many young people whose lives have been derailed by cannabis use,” says Dr Denis McCauley, GP and Donegal Coroner. “There seems to be a lack of understanding about the problems that this drug can create. It can cause significant addiction issues and can also have a serious impact on mental health. The large numbers of referrals coming from GPs and hospitals gives an indication of the health problems being caused by cannabis.”

For people interested in learning more about cannabis and the risks associated with its use, the College of Psychiatrists of Ireland has prepared some useful information for the public here.

Irish research indicates that 20% of people who have used cannabis in the past year are dependent upon it. This is similar internationally. In addition to risks of addiction, cannabis use, especially heavy use during the teenage years, is associated with mental health problems, including issues like psychosis and suicidal behaviour. You can contact the Cannabis Risk Alliance by cannabisriskalliance@gmail.com or by calling 00353873824080

Cannabis smoke contains many of the same carcinogens and toxins which exist in tobacco smoke. Heavy cannabis use in youth is also associated with educational failure. Nationally, it is known that cannabis causes more admissions to psychiatric hospitals than the combined totals related to cocaine, amphetamine and heroin.