In 2023, Slovakia finally removed the abstinence rules and health insurance debt barriers that had kept thousands of people who use drugs from accessing hepatitis C treatment. In this interview, Dominika Jasekova from the NGO Odyseus explains how the reform changed their work on the ground, what obstacles remain, and why the resilience of their clients continues to drive them forward.
Slovakia
The Advocacy Mentorship Programme
On September 9 and 10, 2024, Correlation – European Harm Reduction Network (C-EHRN), in collaboration with Drugreporter, hosted an Advocacy Workshop for harm reductionists in Budapest. You can now watch the recap video of the event here!
CORE – Community Response to End Inequalities: Mid-Term Results on Video
CORE is a 36 months EU project that aims to reduce inequalities in the HIV, TB and viral hepatitis responses and involves 24 partners from 16 EU Member States. In these short videos, produced by Drugreporter, you can witness the progress that implementing organisations on the ground achieved with the help of CORE.
The Challenge of the Emerging Semi-Synthetic Cannabinoid Market in Europe
The lucrative and unregulated market of semi-synthetic cannabinoids is rapidly expanding across Europe, raising public health concerns and posing a legislative challenge to policymakers. The solution lies not in prohibition but in regulation.
Introducing: CORE – Community Response to End Inequalities
CORE – COmmunity REsponse to End Inequalities aims to reduce inequalities in the HIV, TB and viral hepatitis responses by promoting, strengthening and integrating community responses that have proven key in reaching communities that have been traditionally underserved by mainstream prevention and healthcare services. Watch the introduction video by Drugreporter!
Between Waves: Update on the COVID-19 and Harm Reduction Situation in Europe
An update about how access to harm reduction programs changed in European cities after the lockdown measures were lifted between the first and second waves of the COVID-19 epidemic.
Harm Reduction Responses to COVID-19 in Europe: Regularly Updated Infopage
On this info page Drugreporter provides regular updates about resources and news on how harm reduction service providers respond to the COVID-19 Epidemic.
In The Clubs About Drugs
Read about the work and experiences of the social workers at Odyseus, Drugreporter’s partner, who provide information about safer drug use and sex practice at festivals and in clubs in Slovakia!
Harm Reduction Challenge in Slovakia
Watch the video of Odyseus C.A., member of the Drugreporter video network, about the harm reduction situation in Slovakia with a brief outlook to the Czech Republic.
“Our Countries Are Waiting for Future Tragedies That Are Preventable Now” – Interview with Iveta Chovancová
Iveta Chovancová is the director of Odyesus, a harm reduction NGO based in Bratislava, Slovakia. We interviewed her about trends in drug policies in her country.









