ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the details of a research conducted to study the development of drug demand reduction legislation in four countries. The countries participating in this research, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Poland and Slovenia, have developed institutional frameworks in the field of drug demand reduction (DDR) each in their own specific way. The developmental history of drug demand reduction organizations differs from country to country. From a legislative point of view, provisions on illicit drug use were first encompassed in criminal legislation. Drug demand reduction provisions have traditionally been part of various acts in the field of health care and social assistance. Important roles were also played by international non-governmental organizations, such as the Soros foundation and the Lindsmith centre. International organizations influenced the development of a number of drug demand reduction programmes including methadone maintenance and needle exchange programmes.
