The huge amount that the state spends to incarcerate drug users: 5 times more than it would cost treatment

The huge amount that the state spends to incarcerate drug users: 5 times more than it would cost treatment

The Romanian state has spent over 39 million lei only to incarcerate people convicted of drug offenses, in 2023, announces PSD senator Victoria Stoiciu, in a Facebook post.

Person arrested photo: archive, truth

“8,540 lei/month. This costs us, as a state, to close a man for drug use. In 2023, Romania spent over 39 million lei just to incarceration persons convicted drugs related to drugs– and only the cost of accommodating in the penitentiary, without investigations, police, judges or lawyers ”said PSD senator Victoria Stoiciu, on fb.

Instead, says Senator Victoria Stoiciu, “”A treatment program costs: 1,000 lei per month for metadone, 600 lei/month to reduce risks (syringes, naloxone, community support) ”.

According to her, the risk reduction works, is supported by WHO, EU and all international agencies.

“It is cheaper. More human. More effective. But Romania still closes people for consumption. If you imagine that all those closed for drugs are dangerous traffickers, think better: 30% of 2023 convictions are for possession for their own consumption (art. 4). And many of those convicted of There are, in reality, consumers who have divided their dose or sold a small amount to pay their addiction ”, said Victoria Stoiciu.

The calculations belong to the Romanian Anti-Sida Association (ARAS) and were presented on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, in a conference organized together with the Senate Human Rights Commission, on the occasion of the International Day “Support. Don’t Punish ”.

Adrian Stoica

Adrian Stoica

Adrian is the founder and the visionary behind Cluj Napoca, a media platform committed to capturing and sharing the vibrant stories of Cluj-Napoca and Romania with an international audience. A graduate in international journalism from the University of Bucharest and holder of a Master’s in Cultural Studies from Babes-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca, Adrian has a robust educational background that equips him to understand and analyze the complexities of his native region's culture and history.