International - Hungary

Basic Data

(Prevalence of Drug Use in Adult Population) "In the adult population survey conducted on a representative sample in 2003 11.4% of the respondents reported to have tried illicit drugs. Last year prevalence is 4.4% and last month prevalence 1.6%. Nearly two fifths of those who have ever used illicit drugs used it in the last year; 13.5% of them used illicit drugs also in the last month. 6.6% of the respondents are quitters¹² and 4.3% are current users¹³ in the population aged 18 to 54.
"Alcohol is the most widely used legal drug but nearly half of the respondents (43.9%) also smoked in the previous month and the use of tranquillisers and/or sedatives on or without prescription was especially frequent among women."

(Age of Initiation of Use) "The age of first use of illicit drugs in the adult population is under 25, on the average 19.5 years. More than half of the “ever users” were aged at or under 18 when trying illicit drugs and every fourth or fifth user experienced the first use at or under the age of 16.
"In more than 75% of the cases, cannabis was the first substance used. 77% of those who ever used illicit drugs tried first marijuana or hashish. Every 20th or 25th user started with ecstasy or amphetamine. The number of those respondents who firstly used crack, cocaine or opiate was negligible and none of the respondents reported heroin as the first substance used."

(Prevalence of Drug Use Among Youth) "Nearly one-third of the secondary school pupils (in grades 9 and 115) participating in the 2010 HBSC [Health Behaviors of School-Aged Children] survey (Németh and Költő 2011)⁶ have used illicit drugs in their lives or misused medicines or inhalants. The proportion of cannabis users was the highest among all young drug users. The use of medicines or the combined use of medicines with alcohol (misuse of medicines) was the second most common. The prevalence rate of all other drugs together was slightly higher: 14.7%. (ST2_2011_HU_01)
"The lifetime prevalence of each substance reported in other drugs category (rush8, some kind of gas, cocaine, LSD, ketamine, mephedrone, GHB) remained below 1%."

(Age of First Use Among Youth) "The age of first use of illicit drugs is different in the different grades. In grade 9 the highest proportion of pupils first tried drugs at the age of 14-15, the mode is 14 years both in the case of cannabis and other drugs, while 60% of the pupils in grade 11 typically tried drugs at the age of 16 or later. At the same time there is no significant difference between the grades if concerning the age of first cannabis and other drugs use."

(Prevalence Among Youth, by Gender and Substance) "Generally the lifetime prevalence rates are significantly higher among boys and in older age groups. The exceptions are the use of ecstasy and the misuse of medicines. In the case of the former the age-related patterns do not appear significantly, while in the case of the latter the prevalence of use is the same in both grades among boys and girls.
"In respect of cannabis use there was a difference of about 10 percentage points between the prevalence rates in the two grades, for both genders. Similar differences were experienced in respect of the misuse of medicines too.
"Last year prevalence of cannabis use was 15.8%. Significantly more frequent use could be experienced among boys, similarly to the lifetime prevalence rates. Experimental use was the most common – on 1-2 occasions in the previous year – in the case of both genders (boys: 8.5%, girls: 7.6%).
"Last month prevalence of cannabis was 9.2%. Among them those who used herbal cannabis or cannabis resin on 1-5 occasions in the last 30 days more or less covered the social-recreational group of users who use drugs on weekends and at parties. The majority of pupils using drugs in the last month can be classed in this category.
"In the case of the two most commonly used drugs, cannabis and medicines, majority of the users (62.5% of cannabis users, 72.8% of those who misuse medicines) have already tried other drugs in their lives too. In this respect there was no significant difference between the two grades. Concerning cannabis use there was no significant difference between the two genders (boys 61.6%, girls 64.1%) either, while in the case of the misuse of medicines a significantly higher proportion of boys have tried other drugs too (83.6% of boys, 62.5% of girls)."

(Prevalence and Trends in Drug Use) "Similarly to the research in 2001 data from the survey in the adult population suggest that illicit drug use is more typical for youths, men and those living in the capital or other big urban areas than for the national average.
"Comparing the data of the research in 2003 to the corresponding age groups of the data collection in 2001 an obvious increase can be observed in the lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use. It grew from 7.7 % in 2001 to 11.4% in 2003. This rate of increase partly came from the increase in lifetime prevalence of marijuana (from 6.9% to 9.8%). The increase in the rate of regular use of all illicit drugs without incidence was within the limit of error (from 2.7% to 3.5%). It means that the rate of new users increased in the two years under review.
"An increase in the lifetime prevalence of illicit drug use can be detected among both women and men, in each age group."

(Prevalence by Drug Type) "Based on both lifetime and last year prevalence rates by substance cannabis was the most widespread (LTP was 9.8%, LYP was 3.9%). Incidence of all the other substances was much lower in the adult population. Based on lifetime prevalence ecstasy and amphetamines ranked second and third, their spread showed no considerable difference. LSD was hardly behind them at the fourth place. Lifetime prevalence of all other illicit drugs was lower than 1%."

(Drug Offenses) "In 2010, 5789 criminal proceedings concerning the misuse of illicit drugs were concluded.94 (ST11_2011_HU_01.) As compared to 2009 this figure indicates a relatively significant, 19.9% increase. The number of all offences increased by 14% as compared to the previous year, so – if the proportion measured in 2009 is regarded as 100% – the proportion of drug offences also increased among all criminal offences (+4.8%).
"In 2010 again, in the decisive majority of the cases (91.6%) the police initiated criminal proceedings concerning the misuse of illicit drugs. In the remaining 8.4% of the cases the Hungarian Customs and Finance Guard, the Public Prosecutor‘s office, the offended or other persons, the Hungarian Army or other penal authorities were among the initiators."

(Drug Offenses by Drug Type) "The subject of the offence was recorded in 5,526 out of the 5,789 registered cases of drug offences. In 4,493 cases (81.31%) cannabis was the subject of the offence. Heroin was the subject of the offence in 243 cases (4.40%), ecstasy in 186 cases (3.37%), cocaine in 164 cases (2.97%), methamphetamine in 119 cases (2.15%), amphetamine in 109 cases (1.97%) and LSD in 7 cases (0.13%). Other substances were recorded in 204 cases, among which morphine was the subject of the offence in 28 cases, ketamine in 23 cases, mCPP in 14 cases and BZP in 7 cases. (ST11_2011_HU_01.) As compared to the previous years the number offences committed with other substances increased (+25.8%), as well as the number of offences committed with cannabis (+22.7%), cocaine (+18.8%) and methamphetamine (+12.3%). As opposed to this, heroin was recorded in fewer cases as the subject of the offence (-22.4%), similarly to ecstasy (-20.5%) and amphetamine (-8.4%)."

(Drug Offenses by Offense Type) "On examining registered drug offences from the aspect of perpetrations, the majority of the offences are still represented by demand-related perpetrations: in 2010, among all registered drug offences the proportion of demand-related perpetrations was 85.5% (4,952 cases), as opposed to supply-related perpetrations representing 13.7% of drug offences (795 cases). The remaining 0.8% included the following: 1 perpetration endangering persons below the age of 18, 20 cases of punishable preparations, 7 cases of financing perpetrations, 14 cases of supplying substances needed for producing drugs. (ST11_2011_HU_01.) As compared to 2009, the number of demand-related perpetrations increased by 22.3%, and the number of supply-related perpetrations increased by 17.4%. The tendency observed in the previous year continued and the proportion of demand-related perpetrations among all drug offences increased by 2.0%."

(Drug Offenses by Amount of Drugs) "Small amounts of drugs were involved in 86% of the offences, amounts according to the punishable basic case were involved in 11% of the cases, and significant amounts were involved in 3% of the cases. As compared to 2009 (74.98%) the proportion of offences where small amounts were involved increased by 14.5%. The proportion of offences where amounts according to the punishable basic case were involved dropped by 49.6% (11 percentage points).
"Small amounts of drugs were involved in 89% of all demand-related offences and in 68% of all supply-related offences. Significant amounts were involved in only 2% of the demand-related offences and in 9% of the supply-related offences. As compared to 2009, among demand-related offences the proportion of offences involving small amounts of drugs increased significantly (by 13 percentage points)."

(Prevalence and Characteristics of Injection Drug use)
"In 2010 17 organisations reported drug use pattern and demographic data on 2,708 clients (Tarján 2011). In respect of age distribution it can be stated that in 2010 again the greatest proportion, 48% of the clients of NSPs was formed by clients aged 25 to 34. Clients below the age of 25 and above the age of 34 were represented in nearly the same proportion, 26% each.
"The primarily injected drug type became known in the case of 1,729 persons. 47% of the clients primarily injected heroin, while 45% injected amphetamine. The proportion of injecting heroin users dropped as compared to 2009 (2009: 55%), while the proportion of injecting amphetamine users (2009: 39%) and the proportion of users injecting ̳other drugs‘ (2009: 4% 2010: 8%) increased. According to the organisations the other injected drug type was typically mephedrone.
"In respect of age groups it can be observed that while in the age group below 25 the proportion of IDUs injecting amphetamines as their primary drug is nearly double that of heroin users, between the age of 25 and 34 and above 34 the proportion of IDUs injecting heroin as their primary drug is higher."

(Substitution Treatment Availability and Usage) "In 2010, in the scope of the data collection coordinated by the Specialised Outpatient Treatment Centre of Nyírő Gyula Hospital 11 service providers reported on clients participating in opiate substitution treatment. Methadone treatment is provided by 9 out of the 11 service providers, while buprenorphine-naloxone treatment is provided by all service providers submitting reports. In the case of 4 of the 11 service providers clients could only obtain buprenorphine-naloxone on prescription, i.e. at their own cost.
"On the basis of the data submitted by the service providers, in 2010 a total number of 1,031 clients received substitution treatment in the country, in the case of 678 of these (66%) the substitution drug was methadone, while in the case of 353 persons (34%) the substitution drug was buprenorphine-naloxone. In the case of 42% of the persons receiving buprenorphine-naloxone treatment (148 persons) the substitution drug was financed partly or completely by the National Health Insurance Fund (OEP), while 58% (205 persons) obtained the prescribed drug at their own cost. (ST24_2011_HU_01)
"In respect of the type of the treatment, 84% received maintenance treatment (610 persons with methadone, 248 persons with buprenorphine-naloxone) and 16% received detoxification treatment (55 persons with methadone, 104 persons with buprenorphine-naloxone). In the case of methadone 9%, while in the case of buprenorphine-naloxone 30% of the treatments were aimed at detoxification."

(Characteristics of Clients Entering Treatment) "In 2010 new clients treated for drug use were reported by 82 treatment units. During the year a total number of 4,543 persons started treatment at healthcare or social service providers, and 3,042 of these persons (67%) started treatment for drug use for the first time in their lives.
"A total of 78% (3,525 persons) of the 4,543 clients were reported by outpatient treatment units, and 5% of them (228 persons) by inpatient treatment units. 3% of all cases (141 persons) were treated at detention facilities, while 14% (649 persons) at low-threshold institutes. The reduction in the number of cases treated at outpatient treatment units and, in line with this, the increase in the number of cases reported by low-threshold units could be primarily due to that some of the so-called preventive-consulting service providers³⁹ that defined themselves as low-threshold units rather than outpatient treatment units and, unlike in the previous year, these cases have not been recategorised.
"Among all clients entering treatment (including clients both involved and not involved in QCT [Quasi Compulsory Treatment] programmes⁴⁰) cannabis was the most commonly reported primary drug (3,229 persons, 71%), and the following two most common drug types were stimulants (570 persons, 12.5%), and opiates (384 persons, 8.5%)."

(Cannabis Users Entering Treatment) "In 2010 3,229 persons entered treatment because of cannabis use, 523 of them started treatment ̳voluntarily‘ and 2,706 in the scope of QCT [Quasi Compulsory Treatment] programmes. As compared to the previous year the number of clients entering treatment because of cannabis use increased (2009: 3013), and the increase was primarily due to the increasing of the number of clients not in QCT: their number increased by 50%, from 348 in 2009 to 523. 2,442 (76%) of the clients starting treatment because of cannabis use entered drug treatment for the first time in their lives.
"90% of the clients starting treatment because of cannabis use were men (2,920 persons). Among all clients entering treatment (obviously this group was dominated by clients participating in QCT programmes) 37% belonged to the 20-24 age group, 25% belonged to the 15-19 age group, and the third largest group, 22%, was formed by clients aged 25-29."

(Compulsory Treatment as Alternative to Criminal Procedure) "In 2010 3,310 persons entered treatment in the scope of QCT [Quasi Compulsory Treatment] programmes. Their number did not change significantly as compared to 2009 (3,263 persons). On examining the substance distribution structure of clients joining QCT programmes no real change can be observed either between 2009 and 2010: the proportion of cannabis users (82%), stimulant users (11%) and opiate users (4%) remained practically the same. Consequently, the changes observed in clients demanding treatment for other reasons (not in QCT) cannot be observed among clients participating in QCT programmes."

(Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs)) "In 2010, the number of organizations running NSP increased from 21 to 23 (new programmes were launched in Szekszárd and Budapest) (Tarján 2011). (ST10_2011_HU_01); (16 HU_ST10_2011).
"The service providers distributed a total number of 504,251 syringes, the number of returned+collected syringes was 333,468 (including syringes obtained from syringe vending machines and disposed in the special waste containers placed near the vending machines).
"In 2010 the exchange rate increased to 66%.
"In 2010, as compared to 2009, 29% more syringes were distributed by the service providers and the number of returned+collected syringes showed an increase of 34%. The greatest increase can be observed in the number of syringes distributed/collected in the scope of the programmes with a fixed location, but it can be stated that all programme types showed an increasing trend, both in respect of distributed and returned+collected syringes.
"In 2010 the number of clients increased again by a further 17%, the programmes reached 2,810 persons, but the number of contacts stagnated as compared to 2009, in 2010 clients exchanged syringes on 29,688 occasions. In 2010 NSPs reached 969 new clients. (ST10_2011_HU_01)"

(Other Services Provided by Needle and Syringe Programs) "In 2011 a telephone survey⁷⁴ was carried out among 21 NSPs, including fixed, mobile and street outreach programmes, to examine what other sterile equipments and services are provided to clients apart from syringes. Besides sterile syringes, the majority of the organisations distribute alcohol pads, condoms, filters, sterile mixing containers and ascorbic acid. The organisations also often distribute vitamins and vein protection cream to clients. (SQ23_2011_HU_01)
"81% of the organisations carry out individual risk assessment, all of them provide counselling concerning safer injection methods, and 6 organisations even supply written material on safer injecting to clients."

Laws & Policy

(Five Categories for Drug Control Strategy) "In 2010 the system of tenders relating to handling the drug problem was reorganised, which intended to ensure the allocation of sources suiting the pillar structure of the formerly accepted strategy. According to the new system the ministry in charge of drug coordination announced projects in five categories:
"- developing care capacities to support the handling of the drug problem
"- supporting prevention activities
"- ensuring the conditions of operation of the Coordination Fora on Drug Affairs and promoting the realisation of local strategies aimed at handling the drug problem
"- supporting studies and research relating to the drug problem
"- developing the infrastructural and institutional conditions of the organisations providing treatment and care for people suffering from addiction.³"

(Progress in Developing New Hungarian National Drug Strategy) "On 14 December 2009 the Parliament accepted the document entitled ―National Strategy for Handling the Drug Problem‖ (Resolution 106/2009 (XII. 21.) OGY of Parliament). The national drug strategy determined the national drug policy objectives for the years 2010-2018. In December 2010 however, the drawing up of a new strategy has been decided. The ministry stipulated that the new drug strategy should be drawn up by the end of 2011 with the participation of the National Drug Prevention Office and the experts invited. The founding meeting of the team of 10 members in charge of the elaboration of the new strategy was held on 29 April 2011."

(Structure for Drug Control Coordination) "On the basis of directive 6/2010. (X. 19.) NEFMI of the Ministry of National Resources on the Organisational and Operational Rules of the Ministry of National Resources, following the structural reorganisation of central government drug coordination tasks are now performed by the National Drug Prevention Coordination Department of the Youth Affairs Division under the professional control of the State Secretariat for Social, Family and Youth Affairs of the Ministry of National Resources (NEFMI). The national drug coordinator is the head of the Drug Prevention Coordination Department. The former drug coordinator was recalled in December 2010, and the new drug coordinator was appointed on 1 February 2011.
"In connection with handling the drug problem, the tasks of the Youth Affairs Division involve preparation and elaboration of the professional directions and development concepts, the coordination of the preparation and realisation of the related programmes, and the operation of the Coordination Committee on Drug Affairs (KKB). The head of the KKB is the state secretary for Social, Family and Youth Affairs.
"A change took place in the background institute of the coordination too: the partial organisational independence of the National Institute for Drug Prevention providing professional support in the realisation of the objectives of the government‘s drug policy was terminated, and now the institute operates within the framework of the National Institute for Family and Social Policy, as the National Drug Prevention Office. On 1 February 2011 a new head of the institute was appointed."

(Drug Control Spending, Hungary) "In 2010 an amount of EUR 3,484,5734 was available for the performance of tasks relating to drug use in the budget of the Ministry of National Resources (NEFMI) (earlier in the budget of the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labour), but after fulfilling the budget allocation obligation announced in June 2010 the annual budget dropped to EUR 2,620,689 (NEFMI 2011). A significant proportion of the budget amount was used in the framework of the tender system for performing the development tasks defined in the National Strategy. The amount of support granted was EUR 1,796,733. There was a total number of 434 winning projects.
"During the year six individual projects were granted support of a total amount EUR 110,896. On the one part, the support granted ensured the continuity of the most important tasks in relation to preventing drug use, and also the launching of model programmes. In 2010 no amounts were reallocated to ministries or other state bodies. An amount of EUR 580,762 was granted to the National Drug Prevention Office operating as the ministry‘s background institute within the organisational framework of the National Institute for Family and Social Affairs for performing the tasks delegated to the Office. The remaining part of the amount available for performing tasks in connection with the handling of the drug problem was used for operating the Coordination Committee on Drug Affairs and for performing international tasks."