Illegal drug use highest in Belfast

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Thursday, 23 February 2017 10:43

By Richard O'Reilly

Over a third of people in Belfast admit to having used illegal drugs in their lifetime

Following a survey commissioned by the Department of Health, the prevalence of lifetime drug use in the Belfast Trust area stood at 36.6%. The Western Trust came in as the lowest area with 22.3%.

The survey also found cannabis to be the most widely-used recreational drug, with a prevalence rate of 32%. More people in Belfast have also tried cocaine than anywhere else in Northern Ireland,

Respondents were also questioned about drug use in the short-term, and it was found there is little significant difference between the various Trust areas in the past year and month.

The percentage of people in Belfast who said they have taken illegal drugs in the past month stands at just under 5%.