Drug use has become a real problem, nationally, in recent years. Thus, new prohibited substances have appeared on the Romanian market, which are wreaking havoc among young people, and the onset of consumption occurs at younger and younger ages.
Drugs PHOTO SOURCE The Truth Archive
Even if, in the future, cannabis is at the top of consumers' preferences, new psychoactive substances occupy the first position in Romanians' preferences.
Banned substances wreaking havoc among the youth
The new psychoactive substances (NSP) are wreaking havoc among Romania's young people. According to a report drawn up by the National Anti-Drug Agency, cannabis continues to be one of the most consumed drugs at the national level, but has fallen to the second position in the ranking of the most consumed illicit drugs in Romania, after the new psychoactive substances.
The study shows that 10.7% of Romanians between the ages of 15-64 have consumed at least one type of illicit drug throughout their life (experimental consumption), while 6% of them have also consumed it in the last year ( recent consumption). At the same time, there is a slowdown in the growth rate of consumption for most illicit drugs, with the exception of the consumption of new psychoactive substances.
The highest consumption rates are observed among the young population (15-34 years). Adolescence is the period with the greatest vulnerability to the initiation of drug use, the lowest age of onset being declared for the use of new psychoactive substances at 13 years.
What are the new psychoactive substances and how harmful are they?
The new psychoactive substances are chemical products, made in clandestine laboratories, which have irreparable effects on the health of users, far worse than traditional drugs.
“The new psychoactive substances are the biggest drug-related problem in Romania. They are very cheap, accessible, they have tens of times more psychoactive effects than natural drugs. They are sold in certain forms, jellies, lollipops, all sorts of very seductively colored things. They are not for human use, they are normally used for animal husbandry, fertilizers, plant growth. They are poisons, they are synthetic, made in clandestine laboratories and are very dangerous“, stated Dr. Ovidiu Alexinschi, primary psychiatrist, coordinator of the NoAddict programs.
The effects, extremely serious
According to medical professionals, those who consume these substances do not know what they are putting into the body. Often the effects are extremely serious, the physical health of the user can be irreparably damaged.
,,Neither the concentration nor the respective substance is controlled, because we are talking about clandestine laboratories. The majority do not know what they consume, and the effects are the most disastrous. Hallucinatory manifestations, psychosis, paranoia, depression, extreme anxiety, a lot of very dangerous manifestations can occur. Let's not talk about the impact these substances have on physical health“, adds the doctor from Iesa.
