The author deals with possibilities of differentiated care of problem drug users and dependent individuals, especially the adolescent youth. A particular attention is devoted to characterization of individual stages in the process of evolution of the drug problem in young clients. It appears that when the clients (patients) are placed into a suitable therapeutic programme, it proved to be useful to provide what they consider useful for themselves. In connection with changing situation in the different stages of evolving drug career - beginning with experimenting through a recreation drug use, the problem use up to drug dependence. The assisting/helping worker cannot decide the therapy for the client, but can contribute to finding acceptable aims of the common work by giving attention to his situation and taking into account his real condition and possibilities. In the system of care of the young clients it is necessary to select such services, which are integrated, effective, serving to unequivocally defined goal and corresponding to the needs of the care users.

        Key words: the problem drug user, individual dependent on addicting substances, drug career, motivation for intervention (client’s order), helping worker, therapeutic programme, system of therapeutic care