A theoretical approach and concise review of current knowledge and literature to the topic are offered in the article. The first part of the article describes the application of gender perspective in services for drug users. The second one outlines the possibilities of improving services for female clientele and concurrently highlights the need of creating gender-friendly programme s for both sexes.

Key words: gender and the issue of drug addiction – gender differences in the use of services for addicts – gender-friendly services and programmes aimed at drug users