Report examines non-fatal overdoses over ten years in Dublin’s North Inner City

Posted on: 18 February 2025

Non-Fatal Overdoses (NFODs) remain a critical public health concern in Ireland. Opioids are the leading cause of overdose globally requiring a comprehensive and multi-faceted response to address the complexities of the opioid crisis.

A new report entitled: 'Non-Fatal Overdose: A Decade-Long Analysis of Inner City Hospitals and Nationwide Trends Across Ireland (2011-2021)’, is authored by Professor Jo-Hanna Ivers, Associate Professor in Addiction Studies and Mr. Neil Dunne, Research Assistant in Addiction Recovery.

The report integrates data from national and Dublin-specific sources to identify key trends, high-risk populations, and service gaps. It offers evidence-based recommendations to enhance prevention, treatment, and recovery outcomes across diverse populations, from older patients facing polypharmacy-related risks to younger individuals with hidden or shifting substance use patterns.

A critical service gap identified in inner-city hospitals is the near absence of psychological interventions and social inclusion supports, despite these being essential to addressing underlying mental health and social factors that contribute to addiction and relapse. This lack of support may hinder long-term recovery for many NFOD patients.

The research was commissioned by the government-established North East Inner City (NEIC) Initiative, which is chaired by Mr. Jim Gavin.

The study found that Dublin’s inner city remains a hotspot for non-fatal drug overdose, driven by socio-economic challenges, limited access to long-term supports and the high prevalence of opioid use.

The research makes recommendations on access to services, harm reduction strategies and interventions that can prevent tragic outcomes. The recommendations are timely in light of the development of the new National Drugs Strategy. The report will be considered in the formation of policy in this area.

Lead author, Professor Jo-Hanna Ivers, School of Medicine said:

“This report highlights the scale and complexity of Ireland’s rising overdose issue. While we have made progress in treatment, evolving drug trends require targeted, evidence-based responses. Expanding psychological and social supports, increasing naloxone distribution, and improving coordination across services, particularly from hospitals to specialist services are critical to preventing overdoses and saving lives.”

Minister Murnane O’Connor said:

“First and foremost, I would like to acknowledge the loss and grief felt by the families bereaved by the death of a loved one due to drug overdose.

“Society must do more to prevent fatal and non-fatal drug overdose. Early intervention is the key. My role as a drugs policy maker is to support and resource the harm reduction work of frontline staff, so that we can intervene earlier to reduce drug overdose and to prevent its fatal consequences.

 “One such intervention is the Supervised Injecting Facility, which opened in Dublin city centre at the end of December. The primary purpose of the facility is overdose prevention. Since this facility opened six weeks ago, it has had 664 visits, from over 196 individuals. Staff at the facility have intervened in 15 overdoses in this time, none of which required hospital transfer.

“I thank the NEIC and the North Inner City Drug and Alcohol Task Force for publishing this important study and I acknowledge drug service providers and emergency responders for their commitment to reducing the harms of drug use.”

Chair of the North Inner City Dublin Taskforce, Dr Austin O Carroll added:

“There is no recognised health intervention for people who present to health services following a non-fatal overdose. Yet many go on to die subsequently from fatal overdose. This is a tragedy. This research is the first step in helping people who are overdosing to address their addiction and reduce their risk of dying from subsequent fatal overdose.”

Chair of the NEIC initiative Jim Gavin said:

“A key driving force for the North East Inner City (NEIC) Initiative since its establishment is to address drug-related harms in the community. It is important that we document these tragic events, understand the circumstances in which they occur and learn how they can be prevented. An important part of our understanding of drug overdose is non-fatal overdose, which serve as an early indicator for possible fatal overdose. Having a national perspective is important because what is happening in Dublin inner city is also relevant across the country.”

The Authors

Professor Jo-Hanna Ivers’s research focuses on the biological, social and environmental factors that contribute to an individual's vulnerability to dependence and addiction. Her research includes interventions, policies, and practices that help to develop recovery pathways.

Mr. Neil Dunne is a Research Assistant with the Neurobehavioral Addiction Group in the Discipline of Public Health & Primary Care at the Institute of Population Health at School of Medicine.

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