SOCIAL ASPECTS OF HEROIN ABUSERS

1
SOCIAL ASPECTS OF HEROIN ABUSERS

• Niko Bekarovski
• Clinic of Toxicology -
• Clinic Center
• Skopje- Republic of Macedonia

2
Introduction

• The number of heroin abusers have tendency of
  relative and absolute increase in last decade.
  Social and economic disturbances, and crime
  actions are connected with this modern epidemic
  situation.

3
Aim of the study

• The aim of the study is to analyzed the age, sex,
  social and ethnic distribution of heroin abusers

4
Patients and methods

• We analyzed a group of 57 heroin abusers,
  hospitably treated at the Clinic of Toxicology ,
  after heroin overdose. All the patients have
  answered a specially prepared questionnaire.

5
Results

• Average age of the analyzed group was 19,6 (
  7,8) years.36 patients (63,17) were male and 21
  female. The average heroin dose was 0,25 g. per
  day (max. 1,5 and min. 0,25 every fourth day). 46
  patients (80,7) used only I.v. application of
  the heroin. Home resources were the usual way to
  get finances for heroin (gt60). 14 patients were
  heroin smugglers and dealers and 11 of them (19)
  were already at prison. Only 9 patients had
  regular employment.

6
Ethnic distribution of heroin abusers

• From 28 macedonians 18 were females 64,3
• All 18 albanians were males
• Two of the six muslims were females
• One of the four gypsies was female

7
Level of education and divorced parents among
heroin abusers
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Conclusion

• Young population, male domination high percent of
  crime delicts and divorced parents, and very low
  level of employment are main characteristics of
  heroin abusers in Republic of Macedonia.