Ireland is one of the top five European countries for the number of people suffering an overdose.
The figure is being highlighted on International Overdose Awareness Day.
It takes place around the globe today, and is coordinated by Penington Institute in Melbourne, Australia.
During 2012, there were 350 overdose deaths in Ireland - which is twice the number of people killed in road traffic accidents in the same year.
Director of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, Tony Duffin outlined some ideas that would help tackle the issue to Newstalk Breakfast - including setting a target for the number of overdoses.
"We do that in other areas; naturally if you're strategically planning for anything you set yourself a target" he said.
"We need a national overdose prevention strategy to be published as soon as possible so we organise ourselves well" he added.
He says alcohol also plays a big part in these numbers.
