Summary of the 2005 drug situation in the Czech Republic

Prevalence of drug use in the general population has remained stable.

The estimated number of problem users of pervitin (methamphetamine)and opiatesincreased slightly in 2005. As far as pervitin is concerned, the increase was most probably caused by the further dissemination of pervitin in night-life and dance settings, including small towns. The increase in the number of opiates users involves those who use Subutexas their primary drug mainly by injection.

The number of drug users demanding treatment, including injecting drug users, decreased in 2005.

The proportion of injecting users of pervitin and heroin has stayed relatively high (approx. 80% and 90%, respectively).

The average age of problem drug users in contact with helping facilities has increased again; the proportion of problem users aged under 19 has a decreasing tendency.

The prevalence of infectious diseases (HIV/AIDS, viral hepatitis B and C) among drug users has remained stable. However, the availability of testing for infectious diseases among drug users has decreased, which is largely caused by a shortage of previously used rapid screening tests on the Czech market.

The number of specialised substitutioncentres is increasing. New methadoneprogrammes were opened in the Southern Bohemia in 2005 and in Karlovy Vary region in 2006. A pilot methadone treatment programme started in two prisonsin 2006.

The number of drug-related deaths(overdoses) has remained relatively stable. Except of most commonly substances involved (i.e. opiates, pervitin, and inhalants), sporadic overdoses on ecstasyand cocainehave been reported in the last 2–3 years.

The number of those sentencedfor drug offences has decreased for the first time since the beginning of the 1990s.