Drugs Survey in full Swing

There’s been a huge response to the Global Drug Survey, which for the first time this year is including Ireland in its fact-finding mission.
The 2014 GDS is running in 17 countries with the likes of The Guardian, The Huffington Post, The Australian, Stuff.Co.NZ, Zeit Online and La Liberacion joining Hot Press on the official partners list.
People of all ages, backgrounds and predilections – both legal and illegal! – have been filling in the confidential questionnaire, which can be found at
www.globaldrugsurvey.com/GDS2014
The Global Drug Survey isn’t about being pro- or anti- a particular substance. Rather it is about discovering in an Irish context the facts about the use or misuse of drugs of any and every kind. One of the many things we’re interested in finding out is whether or not methamphetamine is now available in Ireland. The authorities say “no”.
Anecdotal evidence, however, suggests that it is, albeit in small, but significant pockets. Then there’s the whole area of designer drugs – did ‘legal highs’ disappear when Mary Harney had them outlawed or have they simply gone underground?
Dr. Garrett McGovern, one of the two GPs who supported the Cannabis Regulation Bill through their involvement with NORML Ireland, says, “I think the Global Drugs Survey could prove to be an invaluable research tool. I’m delighted it includes the drug that by far and away causes the most harm in Ireland, alcohol, and prescription drugs – which are a factor in a lot of the opiate cases I deal with. Benzos, oxycontin and morphine sulphate would be three that are common in cases of polydrug use.
“I’m especially pleased with the scope and the breadth of the section on cannabis. I’m looking forward to seeing the numbers when they’ve been crunched because, at present, drug policy here is mostly based on guesswork and hearsay.” In addition to the Hot Press print and online coverage, there’s been lots of social media activity with Luke Ming Flanagan, Mick Wallace and Mannix Flynn TDs, Gay Community News, Phantom 105.2, Drugsdot.ie, TV3 AM’s Dr. Sinéad Beirne, Alcohol Action Ireland, the IT Tallaght, IT Sligo and IT Cork student unions, The University Times, Rejjie Snow, Rubberbandits and their Limerick blogger neighbour Bock The Robber among those kindly spreading the Twitter word.
You have up until December 20 to participate in the Global Drug Survey, the findings of which will be revealed by Hot Press in the New Year.
Dr. McGovern will be among those present on Saturday January 14 when NORML Ireland stages its first public meeting at Seomra Spraoi, 10 Belvedere Court, off Gardiner Street in Dublin 1.
Running from 2pm – 5pm, it’ll be used to elect a working board and to make plans for the coming year of drug reform campaigning. Find out more at www.norml.ie