Methamphetamine in the Czech Republic

Abstract

The Czech Republic has a relatively long tradition in the addictive and problem use of methamphetamine, which is called “pervitin” locally. This paper attempts to provide as complex a picture of this phenomenon as possible by analyzing what is known about the Czech methamphetamine situation through scientific monitoring and research. It begins with a brief historical overview and then utilizes five key indicators (surveys, treatment demand, problem drug use estimates, blood borne diseases, and mortality) and some of the core indicators (namely, drug related crime, price and purity data, and estimates of market value) of drug epidemiology that were developed by the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). By summarizing and carefully interpreting this data, the specifics of the Czech pervitin scene are described and future research directions are identified.

Kitchen chemistry: A scoping review of the diversionary use of pharmaceuticals for non‐medicinal use and home production of drug solutions

“…[2,84] Of note is that in western and central Europe, drugs purchased for injecting are mostly in powder form, whereas in most of the Baltic States, a large proportion of drug users inject homemade opiate solutions in liquid form. [85] Some data sources report on how the small scale regional production of homemade opiates (called 'Cheornaya' in Russia, 'Himiya' in Ukraine and 'Braun' in the Czech Republic), methamphetamine ('Vint'), methcathinone ('Jeff') and cathinone ('Boltushka') has occurred in response to reduced availability of heroin in Russia, the Baltic States, and in all five central Asian countries. [85] Some data sources report on how the small scale regional production of homemade opiates (called 'Cheornaya' in Russia, 'Himiya' in Ukraine and 'Braun' in the Czech Republic), methamphetamine ('Vint'), methcathinone ('Jeff') and cathinone ('Boltushka') has occurred in response to reduced availability of heroin in Russia, the Baltic States, and in all five central Asian countries.…”

“…[2,81] The 'Kompot' method traditionally involves stewing the opium poppy in boiling water and an acid with subsequent injection of the strained liquid, and more contemporary methods involving the extraction of opiate alkaloids from poppy straw (Papaver somniferum) by ion exchange resin and filtering with recovery of opiates by addition of ammonia water. [85][86][87][88][89][90] In post-Soviet Europe, a displacement between homemade seasonal drugs (such as 'Shirka' made from poppy straw) and diversification towards the use of diverted prescription pharmaceuticals for home-produced drug solutions has been observed (e.g. [85][86][87][88][89][90] In post-Soviet Europe, a displacement between homemade seasonal drugs (such as 'Shirka' made from poppy straw) and diversification towards the use of diverted prescription pharmaceuticals for home-produced drug solutions has been observed (e.g.…”

New psychoactive substances: reducing the harm caused by untested drugs and an unregulated market

“…East and South-East Asia and North America are the regions where most quantities of ephedrine Within Europe methamphetamine has historically been associated with the Czech Republic. Explaining the popularity of the drug within the country, Zábranský (2007) points to stringent border controls during the communist period, meaning that any illicit drugs had to be produced locally. The ready availability of the precursors, a relatively simple production process and the development of cooperative groups (squads) with the skills to 'cook' the drug resulted in a local supply of methamphetamine from the early 1970s onward.…”

History of Self-Help and ‘Quasi-Self-Help’ Groups in the Czech Republic: Development and Current Situation in the Institutional Context of Drug Services

“…Self-help provided within the group included lay counselling and work involving elements of motivational training. This project managed to address the heaviest drug users (mostly methamphetamine users; for more information on the history of methamphetamine use in the Czech lands see, for example, Zábranský, 2007) with long drug careers, dual diagnoses, and a prolific criminal history. In 1991 the Podané ruce Foundation 19 (official legal status granted for the first time) was established and negotiations with Katholieke Nooden (an association of Dutch Catholic endowments) were initiated in order to support the growing activities (Podané ruce, 2008).…”