A number of activities to raise awareness of the drug addiction problem among young people and to promote a healthy lifestyle for a healthy generation and a prosperous country are carried out in the Great National Assembly Square of Chisinau on July 7. These are staged by the General Police Inspectorate in concert with the public association “Positive Initiative”, IPN reports.

In the event, psychologists tell those interested about the consequences of taking drugs. Also, those who came to central square can take free and confidential HIV tests. A number of sports events are presented there, like wrestling and cycling.

The event forms part of the campaign “”Together for life!” that is conducted on the occasion of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

According to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, the number of drugs addicts has increased in Moldova during the past few years. The number of new cases of drug addiction rose from  17.0 per 100,000 people in 2016 to 25.1 in 2017, while the total number increased from 317 to 328.3 cases per 100,000 people. The ratio of drug-addicted men to drug-addicted women is of 75% to 25%.

Currently, about 500 drug users receive methadone-based treatment, while 625 are treated with morphine. Approximately 12,000 drug users are under the supervision of doctors.

According to specialists, drug taking contributes to the worsening of the state of health, to the infection with different transmitted diseases, such as HIV, hepatitis and tuberculosis, and to the development of mental disorders, especially among young people.