Self-Harm, Methadone Use and Drug-Related Deaths amongst Those Registered As Being of No Fixed Abode or Homeless in Ireland

Ir Med J. 2017 Oct 10;110(9):631.

Abstract

This work aims to contribute to the evidence base regarding the health of those who experience homelessness in Ireland by collating data on methadone use, drug-related deaths and emergency department presentations due to self-harm. Data from the Central Methadone Treatment List (CTL), National Self-Harm Registry Ireland and the National Drug-Related Deaths Index were analysed. The percentage on the CTL registered as being of no fixed abode (NFA) or homeless increased from 2% to 7% from 2011-2014. The absolute number of presentations with deliberate self-harm from those of NFA increased by 49% from 2007-2014. The number of drug-related deaths amongst those of NFA or homeless and who died in Dublin fluctuated from 2004-13 with an overall upward trend. There is an urgent need to adequately resource and coordinate those services which aim to address factors (social and health inequalities, mental ill-health and addiction) which lead people into - and prevent them exiting from - homelessness.

MeSH terms

  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Humans
  • Ill-Housed Persons / statistics & numerical data*
  • Ireland / epidemiology
  • Methadone / therapeutic use*
  • Mortality / trends
  • Opiate Substitution Treatment / mortality*
  • Self-Injurious Behavior / epidemiology*
  • Substance-Related Disorders / mortality*

Substances

  • Methadone