The term 'drugs' refers to all mood altering substances, either legal or illegal. This includes alcohol, prescribed and other medications, in addition to illegal and illicit substances.

Recent research shows that 19% of the Irish population between 15 and 64 years have taken an illegal drug at least once. Cannabis is the most commonly taken substance, followed by ecstasy (5%), magic mushrooms, LSD, poppers (4% each), amphetamines (3%), solvents, cocaine (2% each), heroin (0.4%) and crack (0.3%). On the whole, men reported higher lifetime use than women.

There are a number of treatment centres and satellite clinics providing services by the Eastern Regional Health Authority area, and there is a methadone prescription-dispensing scheme.

The Merchants Quay Project

The Merchant's Quay project was founded in 1989 as a response to the growing issues of drugs/HIV in Dublin. The project now provides a range of services for individuals, families and local communities affected by problem drug use. Other services include open access services, day support programme, residential programmes, re-entry/re-integration service, research department, training department and Failtu homeless resource centre.