Startling stats

Between 2002/03 and 2006/07 among all adults in Northern Ireland, lifetime use of any illegal drugs increased from 20% to 28%.

Between 1 March 2007 and 1 March 2010, 5,846 individuals were in treatment, an increase of 5% compared to 2007; drug misuse increased by 16% (from 1,118 to 1,294) and for drugs and alcohol increased by 24% (from 989 to 1224) - Census of Drug and Alcohol Treatment Services in Northern Ireland: 1 March 2010. Belfast: DHSSPS, 2010

In 2009/10 there were 3,475 admissions to acute hospitals in NI with a primary alcohol related diagnosis - PHA Alcohol Briefing 2011.