Context
Illicit drug use among adult Romanians aged15–64 saw an increase between 2013 and 2019, as measured in terms of lifetime consumption (10.7% in 2019 versus 6.6% in 2013), consumption over the last year (6% versus 2.5%), and consumption over the last month (3.9% versus 1.1%). Illicit drug use is higher among people aged 15–34, who in 2019 accounted for 16.9% of lifetime users, 10% of those reporting consumption over the last year and 6.6% of those reporting consumption over the last month (National Anti-Drug Agency, 2022). Although Romanian students report a relatively low perceived availability of illicit drugs (ESPAD, 2019), drug trafficking statistics show an increase in this area (National Anti-Drug Agency, 2022).
Overall, demand for treatment after consuming drugs increased between 2013 and 2020 (Government of Romania, 2022a), and the objectives of the policy documents that were in place in this period – the National Anti-Drug Strategy 2013–2020 and the National Programme for the prevention, and medical, psychological and social care of drug users 2015–2020 – in terms of improving the prevention of drug use and treatment services for drug users were only partially achieved. This was to some extent attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, during which provision of preventive interventions in schools, counselling services for drug users, and treatments for diseases related to drug use, were limited. Nevertheless, the number of medical emergencies and deaths associated with illicit drug consumption decreased between 2019 and 2021 (National Anti-Drug Agency, 2022).
Content of the reform
The new National Anti-Drug Strategy for 2022–2026 was approved by the Government of Romania in 2022. It ensures the continuity of previous activities in this area and is aligned with the objectives set out in resolution adopted during the 30th Special Session of the United Nations General Assembly on the World Drug Problem in 2016 and the objectives set out in the EU Drugs Strategy 2021–2025. Romania’s new strategy was developed in a collaborative and transparent manner, involving and setting responsibilities for all relevant sectors and stakeholders, including the National Anti-Drug Agency, the police, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Family, Youth and Equal Opportunities, local authorities and the civil society (Government of Romania, 2022a).
The Government also approved the new National Programme for the prevention, and medical, psychological and social care of drug users 2023–2026. This programme sets out interventions to be implemented for each specific objective of the National Anti-Drug Strategy (Government of Romania, 2022b). These interventions focus on the prevention of drug use by implementing measures targeted at schools and families (e.g., school counselling sessions with students or parents), communities (e.g., counselling sessions for refugees, or in workplaces), or through Information Education Communication (IEC) campaigns addressed to the population of people aged 15–34; treatment of drug users through provision of integrated services for reducing the risks associated with drug consumption, provision of basic treatment services, case management, substitution treatment, testing for infectious diseases, overdose treatment, etc. The Programme also includes intersectoral coordination measures, monitoring of national drug policy, training and research activities. The total budget allocated for this Programme is 32 300 000 RON (approximately 6 460 000 Euros).