Sharp increase in 'mystery white powder' usage in Ireland

Ireland is among the world’s most enthusiastic consumers of ‘mystery white powders’.
Taking part in the Global Drug Survey 2016, which was run here in association with Hot Press, 19.5% of respondents said that they’ve snorted or ingested a powder without having a clear idea of what it is. That’s up from the 2015 figure of 11.9% and brings with it significant health implications.

In the past, mystery white powders have turned out to be ketamine, MDMA, amphetamines and former head shop drugs like mephedrone.
90% say they were already intoxicated before deciding to take a MWP. 74.6% report having had a “good buzz”, 11.2% say they felt sick, 13.4% say there was no discernible effect and 0.7% sought emergency medical treatment as a result.
Their Irish popularity is only exceeded in the UK and Scotland where the respective usage rates are 20.2% and 21%.
So concerned are Dublin’s Ana Liffey Drug Project by the trend that they’ve recently launched a ‘What’s In The Powder?’ campaign in association with DIT, TCD and the UCD student unions.

* The Global Drug Survey 2016 was conducted in association with global media partners including Hot Press in the Republic of Ireland