On Sunday, October 20, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu presented his “Country Project” for the presidential elections and also spoke about the problem of drug addiction among young people. “I realized that the approach so far was totally wrong,” said the PSD leader.
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu PHOTO: Inquam Photos
“I want to directly attack another serious problem – that of drugs! No more half measures! If we close our eyes, it does not mean that the problem does not exist. In recent months, I have talked with many young people – victims of this scourge. I wanted to understand, directly from them… And… I realized that the approach so far was totally wrong. Punishment doesn’t solve addiction, treatment does. And three posters and two expired brochures do not mean prevention. The time has come for these young people to truly feel that they have someone on their side. Someone to not judge them and isolate them, but to help them heal“, Ciolacu said.
He announced that a first step in the fight against drugs will begin “by transferring part of the National Anti-Drug Agency to the Ministry of Health”.
“Because that’s where she belongs! The police have already started to catch the traffickers and put them in jail. But the state must take care of the victims and give them the chance of a normal life”the PSD leader pointed out.
What the specialists say
The Minister of Health, Alexandru Rafila, stated that the transfer of the prevention and counseling components of the National Anti-Drug Agency to the Ministry of Health is welcome, considering the available human resources.
“The transfer of the prevention and counseling part of the National Anti-Drug Agency to the Ministry of Health is welcome. They also have a human resource there that can contribute together with pediatric psychiatry specialists to be able to combat these phenomenaRafila said.
“I welcome this statement by the Prime Minister with great joy. It is the first time in 20 years that, from this political decision-making level, the principle that young drug users they need specialized help and not to be considered criminals and sent to prison.”, reacted Eugen Hriscu, psychiatrist specialist, on Facebook.
At the same time, Eugen Hriscu emphasizes that NGOs should not have access to schools based only on their status, but through a mechanism that allows the evaluation of the proposed prevention programs. These programs should be subject to the approval of an institutional authority, which will verify their methodology, content and effectiveness.
