Problem drug users

NPS Current situation in
Czech Republic
RICHTER Jiri, SANANIM
Data based on - Annual Report: The Czech Republic – 2012 Drug
Situation, Prague, September 2013, NFP
 The estimated number of problem drug users recorded a slight
increase in 2012.
 According to the estimates, there were approximately 41.3
thousand problem drug users. From that
 30.7 thousand pervitin users,
 4.3 thousand heroin users, and
 6.3 thousand buprenorphine users
 In addition to pervitin, heroin, and buprenorphine, some use
of raw opium and an increase in the misuse of analgesics
containing opiates/opioids, such as fentanyl, codeine, and
morphine, have been recorded among problem drug users.
 The number of injecting drug users was estimated at 38.7
thousand.
•
Pervitin
Methamphetamine; already on the market before 1989
on most places in CR is primary drug of i.v. PDU; Produced
traditionally in various cooking settings and conditions;
 Opiates – in opposite – mostly local issue


•
NPS (National Country Report)
Recent years were marked by the emergence of new synthetic
drugs of the cathinone or phenetylamine group.
 The past-year prevalence of their use has been at the 10% level
among problem drug users, but only a fraction of problem drug
users are currently reporting them as their primary drug, and
there are also dramatic regional differences in this respect.
 In last years – NPS (cathinons – MDPBP, MPPP) appears
typically in so called smart shops and in internet shops.


As regards the new synthetic drugs, clients most often reported
Funky, mephedrone, Cocolino, El Padrino, and Magico (all of
them very probably contain cathinones).

Pervitin
Problem drug users – mostly injecting, long-term use
with quite a few psychological, social and health
problems
 Youngsters in nightlife settings / dancing scene use
Pervitin used non i.v. way
 In some workplaces /settings (waiter, cook, IT, business,
night work) use as stimulant to help complete tasks,
survive…


New synthetic drugs
Psychonauts and experimenters – e.g. in relation to
source in „smartshops“ prs. using cannabis (shops
frequently offer also equipment for growing)
 Problem drug users – substances interesting cause of
price and legality


Pervitin

Injecting:
 Problem drug users – frequently in few days „trips“
 In Prague – often use in combination with opioids
(Heroin, buprenorfin).
 Some reporting to use Pervitin for morning „kick out“

Sniffing, swallowing:
 in nightlife settings – use as stimulant for dancing, sex,
performance...
 In some workplaces /settings - use as stimulant to
complete tasks, kick of, long (complicated, overnight…)
workload,

New synthetic drugs

Injecting - Problem drug users
 Less expensive substitution of pervitin,
 At the moment – NSD are under testing on drug
scene… lack of more information

Sniffing, swallowing, vaporization:
 rather use as experiment,
 Legality increase attractiveness

Pervitin

Produced traditionally in various „home“ cooking settings,
 now also in more sophisticated conditions;
 often could contain toxic or various other dangerous
dash/substances







Psychical painfulness (toxic psychosis, aggressive behaviour)
Within long-term i.v. use – possible social consequences /
impacts (homelessness, family breakdown)
Spread of infectious diseases in relation to i.v. use
„After trip“ – impoverishment, collapse
Injuries and car accidents under the influence of pervitin
combination of pervitin and pathological gambling –
financially/socially destructive
Risky sexual behaviour (nightlife, dancing scene).

New synthetic drugs (MDPBP, MPPP)


Currently – still under screening, missing basic
information
Users reporting / talk about
 Total impoverishment … collapsing
 Skin troubles, difficulties, diseases
 Spread of infectious diseases in relation of i.v. use

„legality“… attractive also for new/potential users
and experimentations
Pervitin – long-term country approaches:
 Outreach work



Outreach and Drop in / in frame of HR







as the service of first contact and linking up with other services
motivation, relation building
Needle exchange,
Testing, warning system
education, information forwarding,
Motivation training.
Use of capsules as alternative to i.v. use
Attempts for substitution treatment (RITALIN)
Treatment in traditional facilities (psychiatric clinics),
outpatient centres or therapeutic communities
New synthetic drugs
 SANANIM Outreach Program






Attempts to monitor information about MDPBP / MPPP,
Samples send for examination,
Analyses of users experiences,
Creating of informative materials; their distribution
Education of peer workers, info for services (specialised
web)
Early warning – testing for drug type is not as
standard, mandatory, periodical…; as well as
information sharing for clients or services use

After boom of smart shop in 2010 / 2011
Low n. 167/1998 - change initiated
 Significant government, MP support – short tome to
approve
 Extension of list of controlled substances – 33 new
ones
 Valid since 22.4. 2011


Most of shops closed…