The findings of a new report published this week by the Health Research Board which examines trends in problem drug use in Ireland has been described as "surprising" by those working within the counselling services in Cork.

The HRB report, conducted for the period dating between 2001 and 2006, stated that the number of new cases decreased in the Southern region of Cork and Kerry, in contrast to large increases experienced in most areas in the rest of the country.

A spokesperson for the HRB told the Cork Independent that the drop, although slight, was unexpected, and that further research would be required to assess the reasons for the decline. However, Phil O'Sullivan of the Tabor Lodge Treatment Centre told the Cork Independent that the report made for surprising reading.

"Certainly at Tabor Lodge we wouldn't have seen a decrease in the numbers we are treating either during the period of the report or now. I'm surprised by some of its findings. We've currently got a full waiting list here at the treatment centre, and I would estimate that almost 70% of our patients are new cases."

David Lane of the Cork Local Drugs Task Force stressed the need to refrain from "sensationalising a dated report", but did confirm that services here "continue to get busier all the time, as more and more people look for access to treatment".

The findings of the report show Cannabis to be the most abused drug in Cork (65%), with Cocaine (10%) and Opiate (8%) the next most abused substances, a trend that is reflected across the country in the HRB report.

Concerns in the rise of opiate abuse, primarily heroin, were given further credence yesterday when Chris Luke of the CUH predicted an oncoming epidemic in Cork based on the numbers being admitted for substance abuse over the past 12 months. Mr Luke was speaking with TV3's Southern Correspondent Paul Byrne as part of a report into the HRB's findings.

During the course of the report TV3 was able to attain a wrap of heroin on the streets of Cork, with a street value of €100, "within 30 minutes". The heroin, which was later handed in to Garda officials, was sold with used needles. The report featured a testimony from a former addict who moved to Cork from Dublin to escape the drug. However, she claimed that usage here is now just as rampant, but Cork is without the necessary services to treat addiction.

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