The Use of New Synthetic Drugs among Problem Drug Users - Prevalence, Patterns of Use, and Related Risks as a Challenge for Harm Reduction Programmes in the Czech Republic

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216208%3A11110%2F16%3A10332494" target="_blank" >RIV/00216208:11110/16:10332494 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="http://casopis.adiktologie.cz/public.magazine/download-file/833?name=belackova_aj.pdf" target="_blank" >http://casopis.adiktologie.cz/public.magazine/download-file/833?name=belackova_aj.pdf</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

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Result language

angličtina

Original language name

The Use of New Synthetic Drugs among Problem Drug Users - Prevalence, Patterns of Use, and Related Risks as a Challenge for Harm Reduction Programmes in the Czech Republic

Original language description

BACKGROUND: After the closure of smart shops (also referred to as "Amsterdam shops") in the Czech Republic in 2011, new synthetic drugs (NSDs) spread within specific groups of drug users in the country, problem drug users (PDUs) being one of them. AIMS: The aim of this analysis is to assess: (a) the prevalence of NSD use among PDUs in regions where these substances are present; (b) the characteristics of the population affected by NSD use and the motivations for this use; (c) the differences between the capital city and other regions, and (d) the main risks related to NSD use. This article also discusses the possibilities of harm reduction within this population. METHODS: Structured questionnaires and semi-structured interviews in five regions affected by NSD use were deployed. This study demonstrates differences between the years 2013 and 2014 using the chi2 test and qualitative data analysis. SAMPLE: 466 respondents filled in the questionnaire (72.2% male, Ø age 32.9 years), 271 in 2013 and 195 in 2014; 71% in Prague. 87 semi-structured interviews were conducted (64 in 2013 and 23 in 2014). FINDINGS: About half of the respondents had used NSDs in the past 12 months (52.4% in 2013 and 52.0% in 2014). In both years, over half of the respondents in Prague used NSDs; outside Prague the prevalence of NSD use decreased to 23.7% in 2014. Those who had used NSDs in the past 12 months showed higher levels of risky drug use. CONCLUSIONS: NSDs became well established among the group of PDUs, usually as one of many substances used. Information exchange between PDUs and the EWS should be a priority for public health-oriented policies.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_x - Unclassified - Peer-reviewed scientific article (Jimp, Jsc and Jost)

CEP classification

FN - Epidemiology, infection diseases and clinical immunology

OECD FORD branch

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Project

Result was created during the realization of more than one project. More information in the Projects tab.

Continuities

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)

Publication year

2016

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Adiktologie

ISSN

1213-3841

e-ISSN

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Volume of the periodical

16

Issue of the periodical within the volume

2

Country of publishing house

CZ - CZECH REPUBLIC

Number of pages

14

Pages from-to

106-119

UT code for WoS article

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EID of the result in the Scopus database

2-s2.0-85017224790