More needs to be done to reduce the number of deaths caused by drug overdoses, the Ana Liffey Drug Project has insisted.

The project is a national addiction service that works to reduce the harm caused by drug use in this country. Last year, it provided direct services to almost 3,000 people.

It is attempting to raise awareness of the ‘devastating effects' drug overdoses can have on public health. According to the most up-to-date figures, around 183,000 people died around the world from drug use in 2012. Most of these deaths were overdoses.

In Ireland in 2012, 350 people died as a result of a drug overdose, more than twice the amount of people who died on Irish roads that year (162).

However, the project also emphasised that non-fatal drug overdoses can have a major impact on a person's health, and overdoses do not just affect the individual - they also affect families, friends and entire communities.

According to project director, Tony Duffin, ‘there is a lot being done in Ireland regarding overdose', however the approach to this issue needs to be ‘more focused and coordinated'.

"We believe that a firm target for a reduction in overdose deaths on a year-on-
year basis needs to be set, so we can measure the impact of what is being done and adjust our focus as needed," he explained.

He pointed out that the stereotype of an overdose ‘is a person with a needle in their arm'. However, the reality is much more complex.

"While opiates are a serious problem and were implicated in over 60% of overdose deaths in 2012, they are far from the whole story. In over half of overdose deaths, the person had consumed more than one substance, so polydrug use is a huge issue. As is alcohol - over a fifth of overdose deaths in 2012 were attributable to alcohol alone," Mr Duffin noted.

He suggested that along with having a numerical target by which to measure success, other measures that could have some impact include:
-Having a clear national overdose prevention strategy
-Ensuring timely access to treatment for people at risk of overdose
-The introduction of minimum unit pricing for alcohol.

The project made its comment to coincide with International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31). For more information on its work, click here