Table 3

Age-standardised rates (standardised to the European Standard Population) of drug poisoning deaths, per 100 000 of the general population, 2004–2017, among all drug poisoning deaths in Ireland and ratio of men to women

Total drug poisoning deaths
Drug groupAge-standardised rates per 100 000 population (95% CI)Ratio of men to women (95% CI)
2004201720042017
All drug poisoning deaths6.86 (6.01 to 7.72)8.08 (7.25 to 8.91)1.68 (1.65 to 1.72)2.38 (2.35 to 2.40)
Any CNS depressant drug5.61 (4.84 to 6.38)6.38 (5.65 to 7.11)1.62 (1.58 to 1.66)2.17 (2.14 to 2.19)
Two or more CNS depressant drugs2.16 (1.69 to 2.63)3.56 (3.02 to 4.09)1.11 (1.01 to 1.20)2.35 (2.29 to 2.40)
Prescription opioids2.03 (1.61 to 2.46)3.01 (2.52 to 3.51)1.66 (1.56 to 1.76)1.93 (1.86 to 1.99)
Benzodiazepines1.59 (1.18 to 1.99)2.84 (2.36 to 3.32)0.81 (0.68 to 0.94)2.34 (2.28 to 2.41)
Antidepressants1.28 (0.90 to 1.67)1.47 (1.14 to 1.83)0.42 (0.22 to 0.62)1.06 (0.94 to 1.18)
Alcohol3.50 (2.87 to 4.14)2.79 (2.29 to 3.28)1.45 (1.38 to 1.52)2.30 (2.23 to 2.38)
Cocaine0.37 (0.21 to 0.54)1.02 (0.75 to 1.30)8.36 (7.26 to 9.44)2.67 (2.49 to 2.86)
Heroin0.60 (0.37 to 0.82)1.51 (1.17 to 1.85)11.72 (10.64 to 12.80)6.00 (5.83 to 6.23)
  • CNS, Central Nervous System.