Illicit drug use is one of the "most serious" threats to national security, with "devastating" effects on young people, families, communities and society as a whole, interim Prime Minister Catalin Predoiu said on Saturday, adding that, through education, prevention and involvement, a resilient system must be built in the face of this scourge.
"The National Day of Awareness of the Risks Associated with Illicit Drug Use, which we mark for the first time this year, is a strong signal about the dangers caused by this type of addiction, but it also emphasises that it is important to act firmly, in solidarity and responsibly to protect the health and future of our society. Through education, prevention and involvement, we must build a resilient system in the face of one of the most serious threats to national security, with devastating effects on young people, families, communities and society as a whole," Predoiu said.
The Romanian government reaffirms its "firm" commitment to continuing the fight against illicit drug use and supports all initiatives aimed at preventing and combatting this scourge that is increasingly present in today's society.
Predoiu said that in 2024, the government provided the necessary funding to strengthen the capacities to prevent and combat drug trafficking. Specialists were hired in the anti-doping bodies, two new laboratories were commissioned in Brasov and Craiova for the analysis and identification of banned substances and portable scanners and spectrometers were purchased for the rapid identification of drugs, Agerpres informs.
"Through the reorganisation of the National Anti-Drug Agency, we have established the National Agency for Drug and Addiction Policy and Coordination, under the direct coordination of the prime minister, with the role of developing, coordinating and monitoring national policies on illicit drug prevention, combating trafficking and providing integrated assistance to consumers. In order to provide adequate support and treatment to drug users, especially minors, we have decided to set up mental health and addiction prevention centres at public healthcare establishments in each county. They will take over the responsibilities of the anti-doping centres, with a focus on providing medical support and multidisciplinary intervention through psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses, therapists and social workers."
According to Predoiu, the efforts so far must be continued by the new government and the new state administration, in an integrated manner, which should have education, prevention and empathy for those who need support.
"Beyond government measures and public policies, each of us needs to get personally involved with authorities and civil society organisations to contribute to creating a safe and healthy environment in our communities. Today, more than ever, we must speak openly, inform correctly and be close to those who need help. Only through a joint effort, through sustainable public policies, by supporting prevention, treatment and social reintegration programmes, can we build a fair society in which the younger generation is protected," Predoiu said.
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