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Methamphetamine in the Czech Republic

NCJ Number
218190
Journal
Journal of Drug Issues Volume: 37 Issue: 1 Dated: Winter 2007 Pages: 155-180
Author(s)
Tomas Zabransky
Date Published
2007
Length
26 pages
Annotation
Based on scientific monitoring and research, this study analyzed the use of methamphetamine (called "pervitin" locally) in the Czech Republic.
Abstract
Methamphetamine continues its position as the most used problem drug in the Czech Republic, a status it first attained under the repressive communist regime during the early 1970s. Drug law enforcement has had only a negligible effect on the Czech methamphetamine market, which is supplied by a large number of small-scale producers. The criminalization in 1999 of the possession of any illegal drug for personal use did not make a dent in the methamphetamine market. Among youth and club and party-goers, all of the indicators related to methamphetamine use are significantly higher for females than for males. Reasons for this trend should be examined in future research. Treatment for methamphetamine users in the Czech Republic is poorly documented, even though the drug's use has a long history in the Czech population. Available information indicates no special treatment approaches are used with methamphetamine users compared to treatment for the abuse of other illegal drugs. Data on the trend in methamphetamine use in the Czech Republic were obtained from surveys, treatment demand, estimates on problem drug use, blood-borne disease, and mortality data. Data were also obtained on drug-related crime, drug price and purity, and estimates of market value. Most of these data were developed by the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction. A brief historical overview of methamphetamine use in the Czech population is presented. 3 tables, 3 figures, 19 notes, and 64 references