The Prevalence of Problem Drug Use in Lithuania

Abstract

The aim of this study was to estimate and assess the prevalence of problem drug use in Lithuania. Materials and Methods. The capture-recapture method was used to estimate the prevalence of problem drug use. For the study, the data concerning problem drug users were collected from the databases of health care and law enforcement institutions. The target group consisted of permanent users (aged 15–64 years) of heroin and other opioids and/or a combination of drugs. Results. In Lithuania, 431 monitored problem drug users were identifi ed in 2005, 482 in 2006, and 447 in 2007. The male-to-female ratio among the monitored problem drug users was 6:1 in 2006 and 4:1 in 2005 and 2007. The mean age of the monitored problem drug users was 26.8 years in 2005, 27.6 years in 2006, and 28.0 years in 2007. In total, 5699 problem drug users were identified (95% CI, 5552 to 5849) in 2005, 5800 (95% CI, 5652 to 5951) in 2006, and 5458 (95% CI, 5314 to 5605) in 2007. According to the gathered data, the prevalence of problem drug use was 2.3 cases per 1000 Lithuanian population aged 15–64 years in 2005, 2.5 in 2006, and 2.4 in 2007. Conclusions. The study showed one of the lowest prevalence of problem drug use in Lithuania as in Germany, the Netherlands, Greece, and Cyprus. In 2005–2007, problem drug users were mainly young men of employable age in Lithuania.

Self-reported cannabis products and other illicit drugs consumption in older school-age children in Northern Lithuania: A comparison between 2006 and 2012

“…The similar differences by gender were observed in the surveys performed in Lithuania from 1995. These differences by gender in the drugs consumption was presented in the various studies of Lithuanian scientists [10][11][12][13]. The majority of the schoolchildren, who tried illicit drugs, reported that they first began to use cannabis products both in Lithuania and in other European countries.…”

High coverage needle/syringe programs for people who inject drugs in low and middle income countries: a systematic review

“…Additionally, there were four national surveillance reports included: Iranian MOH 2007 [32], Astrauskiene 2010 (Lithuania) [33], CDC 2010 (Taiwan) [34], and Hammett 2012 (Vietnam) [35]. …”

“…Astrauskiene 2010 [33] reported national newly reported HIV cases among PWID, collected by the Ministry of Health of Lithuania. The number of newly reported HIV infections among PWID decreased from 85 cases in 2005 to 62 cases in 2006, 59 cases in 2007, and 42 cases in 2008.…”