Last month saw publication of the most reliable figures yet compiled for drugs-related deaths in Ireland. Mainstream politicians and media averted their eyes.

The statistics related to the North. But there’s no reason to believe the picture is greatly different elsewhere.
Two reports released on December 16 by the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA) showed alcohol as the most deadly drug, followed by a range of widely-used prescription drugs. NISRA declared: “Drugs commonly associated with drug addiction such as heroin and cocaine are mentioned on fewer death certificates than drugs such as amphetamines, benzodiazepines and antidepressants.”
The reports were based on analyses of drugs-related deaths recorded at inquests and on death certificates between 1999 and 2009.
In 2009, 283 alcohol-related deaths were registered, compared to 276 the previous year, continuing a gradual rise of around 50 percent over the decade.
The median age of alcohol-related deaths was 54, compared to 78 for all deaths: an average of 24 years of potential life lost in each case.
The alcohol-related death rate per 100,000 people for each quintile – fifths of the population ranked in “slices” from most deprived to least deprived – showed 52 deaths per 100,000 population in the least deprived quintile, compared to 218 in the most deprived quintile. “People living in deprived communities are around four times more likely to die from alcohol-related mortality than those who live in the least deprived areas.”
In relation to drugs other than alcohol, NISRA followed standard practice in treating “drug-related deaths” and “deaths due to drug misuse” separately. The latter refers to deaths involving drugs which are illegal.
The median age for drug-related deaths between 1999 and 2009 was 40, for deaths due to drug misuse, 39, suggesting 38 years of potential life lost in respect of drug-related deaths, 39 in relation to deaths from drug misuse.
Of the drugs most commonly involved, benzodiazepines (tranquillisers) were mentioned in 211 death certificates. Diazepam in 148 certificates, anti-depressants in 201 certificates. References to heroin or morphine fluctuated around an average of seven a year.
No deaths were recorded over the period as having been caused by (mis)use of cannabis or ecstasy.
The figures for drug-related deaths per 100,000 population according to levels of deprivation were: least deprived quintile, 13; next, 20; third, 21; fourth, 36; most deprived quintile 65. An almost exactly similar pattern emerged for deaths due to drug misuse.
The main determinant of the pattern then is, obviously, relative poverty. NISRA puts it: “There is a clear gradient of increasing drug-related deaths and deaths due to drugs misuse with increasing deprivation... People living in deprived communities are around five times more likely to die from drugs-related mortality than those who live in the least deprived areas.”
Given the stridency of expressions of official concern about the death-toll from drug use, it might have been anticipated the findings would be splashed on every front page and become the focus of intense debate in the political arena. But no.
The facts might have disturbed the dominant assumption that the problem with drugs arises mainly if not exclusively from drugs which are illegal and that the solution lies therefore in tougher laws and tougher enforcement of existing law.
In this instance, as ever, turning a blind eye to the truth is a useful manoeuvre for any who find it difficult politically to accommodate the most fundamental conclusion of the NISRA reports – that in the matter of drugs, as in much else, the main source of our ills lies in the inequality of our society.
(The NISRA papers can be downloaded at: http://www.northernireland.gov.uk/news-dfp-161210-drug-and-alcohol.)

Most Brit Royals are ignorant louts. Prince Harry, it will be recalled, thought it a hoot to attend a fancy dress party in the garb of the Gestapo. Another, Andrew, was exposed by Wikileaks raging against an investigation into bribery and corruption by a British arms company and generally behaving during a visit to Kyrgystan in ways that would have embarrassed a football hooligan.
Now along comes Emma Sayle, 32, who posted a message on Facebook: “Emma Sayle has just had a two-hour shooting lesson. She will now be using this skill on the top of East London high rises to help with the UK’s illegal immigrant problem.”
Sayle is Kate Middleton’s best friend and hotly tipped to be bridesmaid at the bubble-brained Middleton’s forthcoming marriage to another scion of Britain’s top parasite family, William.
After somebody referred her to the police, Sayle returned to Facebook: “Just had a call from the old bill demanding I go in as someone has reported me for apparently making racist comments... hahaha... using my new found gun skills to control the UK’s illegal immigrant population is not what I call racist.”
She dismissed the complaint as “pathetic”, saying it had obviously been “created by someone who’s got a grudge”.
A file was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service, which went through the motions before ruling there was no case to answer.
Sayle’s page continues to carry a link to an article headed “Australia says no to Muslims”.
Sayle is a repulsive bigot and a disgrace to the British people. But she won’t be seen in that light by the Royal Family or barred as a bridesmaid. They will have recognised her, accurately, as one of their own.
I gather Mary McAleese wants a selection of these slags invited to Dublin during the year.