Deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said: “This study shows, in certain instances like gangland shootings, that there is a link between violent deaths and the drug sub-culture.”
Some 38% of victims of homicide had illicit drugs or medication in their system at the time of death, a study has found.
A study of records from the State Pathologist’s Office found there were 288 homicides between 2008 and 2012, comprising murders and manslaughters.
www.irishtimes.com//news/crime-and-law/study-on-drugs-and-death-by-homicide-1.1906721
www.irishtimes.com//news/crime-and-law/study-on-drugs-and-death-by-homicide-1.1906721
The figures indicate an average of 57.6 homicides each year over the five-year period, with homicides accounting for 0.2% of all overall deaths.
The greatest number of homicides took place in 2010, with 66 deaths, while the lowest number was in 2011 when there were 47
The study, entitled ‘Drug Associated Homicidal Deaths,’ carried out by a medical student at University College Cork, Roisin Greaney, found that 109 of the 288 homicide victims had illicit drugs or medication in their system at the time of death.
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Of those 109 victims, 87% were male and 13% were female.
Almost half (48%) of victims who had drugs or medication in their system died from gunshot wounds.
One-in-four died from stab wounds, while blunt force trauma was the cause of death in 18% of the 109 cases.
In 75% of cases, the victims had more than one drug in their system.
The presence of benzodiazapines (sedatives) or barbiturates was detected in 53% of postmortem toxicology screenings. Alcohol was detected in 39% of cases, and opiates in 37%.
Alcohol was only taken into account if it was used in combination with other drugs or medication.
Cannabis was detected in 29% of cases, cocaine in 22% of cases and methadone was detected in 17%.
The victims had more than two substances in their system at the time of death in 32% of cases.
Just 22 of the 109 victims had previous documented abuse of drugs and alcohol.
Ms Greaney, who is from Douglas, Cork, said that in some cases the drugs or medication and alcohol may have played a contributory role in the death.
Deputy State pathologist Dr Michael Curtis said: “This study shows, in certain instances like gangland shootings, that there is a link between violent deaths and the drug sub-culture.”
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More than 3,500 offenders being supervised by probation services in Northern Ireland have problems with drug and alcohol misuse.
The number equates to over 70% of all 5,000 criminals who are on probation in the region.
The scale of the drink and drug problem among offenders was outlined by the Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI).
It has outlined the figures to highlight the extent to which alcohol and substance abuse contributes to criminal and anti-social behaviour.
The acting director of PBNI Cheryl Lamont said the percentage of those experiencing misuse problems was concerning.
"Given that we supervise almost 5000 offenders, this is a significant number of people presenting with alcohol or drug problems," she said.
"We know many offenders commit acquisitive crimes, such as theft and burglary to fund their addictions. Many who commit assaults also report the fact that they have consumed alcohol or taken drugs.
"The Probation Board has developed a range of programmes which in a practical way seek to hold offenders to account, prevent further victimisation and create safer communities. Given the numbers of offenders who present with drug and alcohol issues many of the programmes we run deal with those specific areas, and work by providing information about the effects of alcohol upon health, personal relationships and offending to enable participants to make informed choices about their use of alcohol.
"We also work with community partners across NI to deliver effective interventions in relation to alcohol and substance misuse. Groups like AddictionNI which deal with alcohol and drug addictions and raise awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol misuse receive community grants from PBNI to assist in making communities safer.
"It is important people think carefully about their actions and the consequences and know that if they become involved in criminality they will be held to account."
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