Prevalence of problem drug users in Slovakia in 2005 has been carried out with multiplier method. Problem drug use has been defined as drug injecting and / or long-term and regular use of opiates and / or methamphetamine (pervitine). Data about clients in contact with 6 low-threshold services (harm-reduction) in 8 cities have been used. Proportion of problem drug users being in contact with low-threshold programme (in-treatment Rate) has been obtained by nomination technique in the survey within 294 respondents – clients of low-threshold programmes. Problem drug use prevalence in Slovakia reached approximately 18 500 persons (95 % CI 13 500 – 32 000), about 18 000 drug injectors, 10 400 opiate and 8 100 methamphetamine (pervitine) users. Approximately 3 600 problem drug users are estimated in Bratislava. Relative prevalence is estimated as 4.8 problem drug users per 1000 inhabitants aged 15 – 64 in Slovakia and 11.2 per 1000 inhabitants aged 15 – 64 in Bratislava. Substantial regional differences in the number and the structure of problem drug users exists across Slovakia, further research in this respect is needed – it concerns especially misuse of buprenorphine (Subutex) and pentazocine (Fortral) in some localities.

Key words: prevalence estimate – problem drug use – multiplier method – drugs – methamphetamine – heroin – buprenorphine – low-threshold programme