Travellers accessing addiction services in Ireland (2007 to 2010): analysis of routine surveillance data.
By accessing addiction treatment services recorded in routine national drug treatment data, the characteristics of Irish Travellers were analyzed to understand their needs and develop policies to tackle issues faced by this community. The number of Traveller cases accessing services increased by 163% between 2007 and 2010. Alcohol and opiates were the most common problem substances reported. Traveller women reported high rates of problem opiate use and risky injecting behaviors, contrary to the perception that problem substance use is a predominantly male issue. This presents a challenge to services to provide targeted, effective services to Travellers with problem substance use.
a Health Research Board , Knockmaun House , Dublin , Ireland.
Anne Marie
AM
Carew
Siobhán
S
Cafferty
Jean
J
Long
Delphine
D
Bellerose
Suzi
S
Lyons
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D002648:Child; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009293:Opioid-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012737:Sex Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D055815:Young Adult