1. PROFILE OF A MACEDONIAN HEROIN ABUSER
Ass.Prof.Dr.Niko Bekarovski
Clinic for Toxicology-University Clinic Center Skopje

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. According to the official statistic, 8756 heroin abusers were registered in Republic of Macedonia, till 15th of May The dark number of heroin abusers is approximately ten times higher.

3. INTRODUCTION
Opposite of Western countries, were heroin abuse have a tendency of relative decrees in total number of abused narcotics, and is replaced by psycho stimulants and “lighter narcotics”, in our country heroin is the lead substance of abuse. Touch with heroin, often is the first illicit substance, among young generation, especially in North-Western part of Macedonia.

4. Aim of the study:
To analyzed the age, sex, social and ethnic distribution of heroin abusers

5. Patients and methods:
We analyzed a group of 57 heroin abusers, hospitably treated at the Clinic of Toxicology and Urgent Internal Medicine-University Center Skopje, after acute heroin overdose or detoxification procedure or 26,89% from the total number (212) treated 2005/06 . After treatment all patients have answered a specially prepared questionnaire.

6. 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 (>60%). 14 patients were heroin smugglers and dealers and 11 of them (19%) were already at prison. Only (15.8%) patients had regular employment.

7. Ethnic distribution of heroin abusers
From 28 ethnic Macedonians, 17 were males 60,71%
All 18 Albanians were males
One of the six Muslims was female
One of the four gypsies was female

8. Level of education and separated parents among heroin abusers

9. Hepatitis B & C among Heroin abusers
>80% from i.v. abusers have Hepatitis B or C
All 29 i.v. abusers, who applied heroin longer than 5 years i.v. were Hepatitis B&C positive

10. AVERAGE MACEDONIAN HEROIN ABUSER IS:
Conclusion:
AVERAGE MACEDONIAN HEROIN ABUSER IS:
Younger than 25 years
Male
With high education
intravenous application
Often involved in crime delicts
From separated parents
Unemployed
Hepatitis B and C positive