The number of drug addicts in Moldova increases, while their age decreases. To inform the population and increase accessibility to public drug use prevention services, an inter-institutional plan agreement was signed and a campaign entitled “Better Knowledge for Better Care” was launched, IPN reports.
The campaign was initiated by the General Police Inspectorate under the aegis of the National Antidrug Commission and the UNODC Office in Moldova. It is designed to strengthen interaction between decision makers, service providers, activists and representatives of communities marked by drug use.
General Police Inspectorate chief Sergiu Paiu said drug taking often leads to the contraction of a transmitted disease, such as AIDS and tuberculosis. The campaign consists of a number of awareness-raising activities aimed at reducing drug use among the youth and teens, in the family and at school. Emphasis will be placed on the promotion of a healthy lifestyle and informing about the risk of taking drugs.
UNODC Moldova national coordinator Ina Tcaci noted that 269 million people take drugs worldwide, by 30% more than ten years ago. The number of drug users rose the most in developing countries, including Moldova. The opium and heroin remain the most dangerous drugs. Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the availability of drugs on the drugs market decreased drastically and drug prices as a result rose, while the quality of drugs declined, endangering further the health of users. The drugs are now sold more online. As the drugs were less available, the number of persons who asked for treatment and rehabilitation services grew.
Marina Golovaci, secretary of state at the Ministry of Health, Labor and Social Protection, said about 12,000 persons are under the supervision of narcologists in Moldova at present. The real figure of drug users is much higher. Drug addiction is a disease, not a vice or lack of will.
Vladimir Cojocaru, of the National Administration of Penitentiaries, said that 20% of the over 5,000 convicted persons are drug users.
International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is annually marked on June 26.
