The number of people treated in hospital for drug or alcohol addiction disorders increased by nearly 10% last year.
According to details released under the Freedom of Information Act, 543 people had one of these illnesses as a main diagnosis in 2018.
In the Saolta Hospital Group which includes Letterkenny University Hospital, last year, 108 people had a main diagnosis of drug addiction when they were discharged, up 12.5% on the previous year.
The figures relate to inpatient or day cases, so do not include emergency department admissions.
GP Hugh O’Donnell, of the Irish Medical Organisation, says there needs to be more awareness of the dangers of illicit substances:
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