The Irish government strongly supports marijuana
prohibition, in large part because it follows the usual prohibitionist line of lumping
marijuana with hard drugs, which are a growing problem in the Dublin slums. This short
article demonstrates the hypocrisy and futility of Irish "drugs" policy.March
2, 1998
Eilish O’Regan, Health Correspondent
The Irish Independent
independent.letters@independent.ie
Alcohol Still Top Problem Drug
Admission to psychiatric hospitals for drug dependence have doubled in five years - but
nearly ten times as many are still being treated for alcoholic disorders, according to
official figures.
The figures show while just 277 people were admitted to
psychiatric hospital for drug dependence in 1991, this jumped to 514 in 1994 and 565 in
1996.
In contrast the numbers of people with alcoholic disorders who
were admitted for treatment in 1991 reached 6,592 and fell to 5,435 in 1996 - but
remains the largest abuse problem facing health authorities.
A survey of deaths directly related to alcohol dependence also
showed a big increase from 15 in 1990 to 54 in 1996.
Deaths directly related to drug dependence also rose from 4 in 1990 to 36 in 1996.
Experts say the first sign of alcohol dependence is using alcohol for relief from
stress, anxiety and anger.
Supported