The number of people jailed for offences involving hard drugs has more than doubled in under a decade.
But groups treating those with addictions say resources aimed at helping people with drugs-related problems have “not kept pace” with changing trends in drug use.
According to Justice Minister Naomi Long, 348 people were sent to prison last year for offences involving Class A drugs such as cocaine, heroin and crystal meth.
The 2023 figure is the highest since the current Prism record keeping system was introduced nine years ago.
In 2015, when the system went live, 143 people were incarcerated for offences relating to Class A drugs.
The number of people incarcerated last year for Class A drugs offences represents an increase of more than 140% over nine years.
The information was provided in response to a written question from Newry and Armagh MLA Justin McNulty.
A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said it was committed to bringing criminals to justice and to working with other departments and agencies to address the “complex and wide ranging” root causes of substance use.
“Drug addiction ruins lives and all too often has devastating consequences not only for the individuals involved but for their families too,” the spokesperson said, adding that sentencing in individual cases was a matter for the judiciary.
Alex Bunting, director of therapeutic services at Inspire Addiction Services in Belfast, said that while his organisation was primarily focused on the demand for drugs rather than their supply, the figures were generally in line with the rise in hard drugs use across the region.
He said resources aimed at treating those with drugs-related issues had “not kept pace” with changing trends in drug use.
“We have seen a significant increase in the use of Class A drugs such as cocaine and heroin, especially in urban areas,” he said.
“That leads to a knock-on effect in terms of the devastation and destruction that drug use brings to individuals and those around them yet there is no commensurate increase in resources to treat people impacted by addiction.”
Mr Bunting said the recent health inequalities survey for Northern Ireland also pointed towards increases in Class A drug use and a corresponding rise in drug-related deaths in Belfast.
“In recent years we have seen the development and release of the Substance Use and Mental Health Strategies, unfortunately both continue to be under resourced and struggling to deliver on key actions across the region.”
People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said the increase in people being jailed “points to the complete failure of the war on drugs”.
“While prosecutions are increasing, drug use and drug addiction remain largely the same,” the West Belfast representative said.
“Many of those who find themselves in prison suffer from drug addiction. Most come from working class areas that are in the grips of a deepening mental health crisis. Those affected need support, not a prison sentence.”
Mr Carroll called for an approach that dealt with drugs and addiction “as a health issue, rather than a criminal justice issue”.
