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Officials across Ireland are warning about the emergence of an illicit alcohol industry, due to lockdown pub closures currently in force across the country. Publicans’ representatives on both sides of the Irish border have blamed tight COVID-19 restrictions for so called ‘Shebeens’ – unlicensed pubs – serving alcohol to locals unchecked and under the […]
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What does a non-negative drug result mean?
Is it the same as a positive result? As the name implies, a non-negative result on a drug screening device means that the test wasn’t negative; an amount of substance was detected. It could be a trace amount and within the margin of error, but as it’s not negative it will need confirmation analysis back […]
Maternity and paternity testing after IVF
DNA testing can give you peace of mind over the biological identity of your child. This is becoming increasingly important for two reasons: The number of babies born as a result of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) is increasing. The number of media stories about babies born as a result of IVF not being related to one or […]
What is EtPa alcohol testing?
What is EtPa alcohol testing? How accurate is it compared to other alcohol testing methods? We answer these questions in our latest expert guide… What is EtPa alcohol testing? Head hair alcohol testing works by looking at two markers of alcohol: ethyl glucuronide (EtG) and a fatty acid ethyl ester (FAEE) called ethyl palmitate (EtPa). […]
How long can a PEth test detect alcohol?
How long can a phosphatidylethanol (PEth) test detect alcohol? Well, drinking experiments have shown that PEth can be detected in blood after 1–2 hours following a single drinking episode. This PEth detection can also last for up to 12 days. Because PEth is a direct biomarker of alcohol, it is the most accurate blood test […]
Could random drug tests tackle Galway’s cocaine problem?
The Joint Policing Committee (JPC)’s Crime Prevention and Personal Safety subcommittee has recommended that Galway County Council and local gardaí examine the possibility of introducing random drug tests in schools. The suggestion was made after hearing evidence from a Health Service Executive (HSE) clinical specialist in addiction. Joe Treacy described the drug problem in Galway […]
Thousands march to take back control from drug gangs
Around 4000 people have walked from Drogheda’s Peace Bridge to the centre of the town, accompanied by the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and several party leaders, to give the message to those involved in drugs: ‘There is no place for you to live among us’. We want to take back control of our town from the […]
Children as young as 10 being groomed for Dublin drugs trade
A new report into organised crime and criminal networks in areas around Dublin has discovered children as young as 10 years old being groomed for the drugs trade. In the areas between the Liberties and Walkinstown, many of the children used as runners and carriers are even considered expendable. The aim of the report Building […]
Ireland tackles its teenage drink and drugs crisis
A task force in the west of Ireland is using Iceland’s model for reducing alcohol and drug abuse among teenagers. In Iceland 20 years ago, almost 25% of 15–16-year olds were smoking every day, more than 40% had got drunk in the past month and 17% had tried cannabis. In 2017, just 2% of that […]
Irish communities severely affected by drug gang violence
Violence and intimidation by drug gangs has severely affected communities in Ireland and had a major impact on individuals, their families and the functioning of local services. This is the finding of Europol’s 2019 Drug Markets Report. The huge amount of money spent on drugs each year in Ireland makes it a major source of […]