This year the Global Drug Survey is covering 19 countries, and so far almost 2,000 Irish people have completed the anonymous online survey, which is open to all over-16s.

The aim of the survey is to produce harm reduction guides to using cannabis, using the findings of the data collated.

Stuart Clark, Deputy Editor of Hot Press, is writing about the survey this month.

“This is all the brainchild of UK addiction specialist Dr Adam Winstock who, on the back of previous surveys, has briefed parliamentary groups, fellow doctors and senior police,” he told Sean Moncrieff on Newstalk.

In the study, there is a focus on areas like synthetic cannabis, the online purchasing of drugs, the use of ‘smart drugs’ by students to help with cramming for exams and the prevalence of steroids in sport.

Some key findings from Irish respondents to last year’s survey include:

• Ireland has the most expensive cannabis in the world.
• 48% would be more comfortable seeking health advice if drugs were legalised
• Only 10.5% of people had bought drugs online, which is a relatively low figure when compared internationally.
• 9.2% had taken a mystery white powder, without knowing exactly what the drug it was

To complete the survey, click here, while you can listen to the full interview with Stuart on Newstalk below.