THE CHANGE OF THE STRUCTURE OF DRUG USE OVER YEARS IN THE KYRGYZ REPUBLIC

D.A. Bayizbekova, O.T. Kasymov

The aim of the study was to investigate the change of the structure of narcotic drug use in Kyrgyzstan over years based on statistical reports of the Republican Drug Centre (1993—2002). The most commonly used drugs were cannabis category and other hemp-derived drugs till 1996 and opium in the years 1996—2000. From 1999 on heroine held firmly its position as the third most commonly used drug. In regions with a high prevalence of drug use, among all narcotic drugs used, the highest rate of use was for opiates and a low one for cannabis. Polydrug use was wide-spread and had a clearly increasing tendency (T_increment = 13,63%). The main method of use is by injection. More than 97% of HIV-infected nationals were injecting drug users.

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