Ireland has the 5th highest drug related death rate among under 25’s in the EU.
That startling statistic come as it’s emerged a synthetic type of cannabis is being blamed for a rise in the number of mental health problems and suicide in a region north of Dublin.
Tony Duffin from the Ana Liffey Drug Project says programmes like Just Say No haven’t worked and aren’t doing anything to dispel myths about drugs.
The stats also show that Ireland's youth are 3 times more likely to take headshop drugs than their European peers – despite them being banned here 5 years ago.
It comes as the Ana Liffey drug project launched the 2016 “Let’s talk about Drugs” National Youth Media Awards which are focusing on drug and alcohol use.
