THE rapid rise in Mephedrone use in the Isle of Man accounted for a big demand for the Drug Advice Service and Helpline (DASH).
The confidential service has just released its annual report which reveals a huge increase in the amount of people using the service over the past year.
Director of services at DASH Shelly Stanley said: "Demand for the service in the past 12 months by new clients has increased by 27 per cent - the actual number being 344 new clients on top of our existing work.
"The service was particularly under strain from September at the time we drew attention to the problems with Mephedrone across the Island and had an influx of 141 people of all ages experiencing problems within the space of six months.
"I am pleased to report that many people’s lives are now back on track, they are back in employment or education and relationships improved.
"We are lucky to have a dedicated and skilled staff and I am very proud of our team’s achievements in the past year.
"The Island community have been very supportive of us this past 12 months and without that we could not provide the service we do and we thank all those individuals and services involved."
Mephedrone - known as plant food - is a former 'legal high'. It was banned and made a class B drug earlier this year.
DASH chairman Hazel Hannan said: "The charity has during this time continued to provide a confidential service to those members of the community seeking assistance whether they be drug users, those affected by drug use or wishing to gain access to drug education.
"We have also supported those affected by drugs in the family or in the workplace and advising members of the public through the media to the dangers of drugs and any new developments in the drug field as we’ve seen recently with Mephedrone.
"DASH has an exceptional team of workers. Working in a service such as this brings new challenges on a daily basis and I pay tribute to their commitment to all areas of this much needed community service."
The report shows a huge influx of Mephedrone cases not matched by any other drug in those 12 months (141 Mephedrone cases compared to zero cases involving the drug the previous year). All drugs causing problems to DASH's clients in comparison are down significantly.
Those attending the service under the age of 18 since the Young Persons Service began in 2007 has increased by 70 per cent with the main drugs being Mephedrone and Cannabis and there are still concerns about the availability of highly addictive prescription-only drugs such as Diazepam (valium) and painkilling medications, often dangerously mixed with alcohol.
Copies of the report are available from DASH, PO Box 191, Douglas, IM99 1WR or Telephone 615622.
