Slovakia

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Drug policy

Slovakia’s National Anti- Drug Strategy was adopted in 2013 and is structured around the two pillars of i) demand reduction and ii) supply reduction.
The strategy is based on the three themes of (i) coordination, (ii) international cooperation and (iii) research, information, monitoring and evaluation.
The strategy has an illicit drug focus.

The strategy outlines two key areas for improvement in terms of treatment. These are i) the expansion of the availability and affordability of drug treatment; and (ii) the provision of effective and diversified nationwide treatment, with a special focus on those using multiple drugs and individuals suffering from mental or physical health issues.
Inpatient and outpatient drug treatment services are primarily funded by public health insurance, whereas residential care outside the healthcare sector is funded through local or regional budgets and by the clients.
Specialist drug treatment is delivered by The Centres for the Treatment of Drug Dependencies.
NGOs deliver after care, recovery and reintegration services.
Services offer detoxification and long-term opioid substitution treatment

Prevention efforts are carried out in schools, health centres and hospitals, family and criminal justice settings.
NGOs play a key role in the delivery of prevention activities.
In Slovakia, universal prevention programmes are mainly delivered in school settings and focus on addressing alcohol, smoking, illicit drugs and risky behaviour. The curriculum’s key aim is to develop psychological and social skills that act as protective factors. A specialist drug prevention coordinator is designated to each school.
Websites provide information and online consultation services.
Selective prevention activities target young people in disadvantaged communities, marginalised families, young offenders and youths with learning, personality, psychological or behavioural problems. Activities mainly involve counselling and are provided by prevention centres, psychologists and NGOs.
In terms of harm reduction, the majority of programmes are delivered through fixed sites or mobile outreach facilities. Services include the provision of information on safer drug use, screening for drug- related infectious disease, counselling and clean injecting equipment.