Trends in the incidence of problematic drug addicts in the Czech Republic, 1995-1996.

During 1996 there were 3,252 newly registered problematic drug users (incidence 31.5/100,000 inhabitants) while in 1995 it was only 2,470 drug users (23.9/100,000 inhabitants). Trends in the incidence of problematic drug users and their age structure and regional distribution between 1995-1996 characterise the current drug scene in the Czech Republic as follows: Slightly upward trend of the incidence of problematic drug users with prevalent position of pervitin. Dramatic increase in heroin use in 1995 has changed in slower growth of the number of new users in 1996. Proportion of men to women is totally 2:1 with major differences between individual drug types. Gradual decrease in the average age of problematic users, especially women, and decrease in the age of first use of primary drug. The most affected age group are young people between 15 and 19. Increasing number of problematic users under 15 is also alarming. Major differences in the incidence of problematic users and in the different representation of individual types of drugs in regions with prevalence of Northern Bohemia and Prague. High and gradually upward trend of injection drug users; national average nears to 60% and thus exceeds Prague and Northern Bohemia regions. Injection users under 19 represent 1/3 of all registered problematic users and approximately 50-60% of all injection users.