About 600,000 youths aged 15-34 consumed illicit drugs at least once in their life

Statistics show that about 600,000 young Romanians aged between 15 and 34 years old have consumed illicit drugs at least once in their lifetime and over 300 of them died due to drug use over the past ten years, according to the message of Director of the National Anti-drug Agency (ANA), Sorin Oprea, on the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking.

According to Oprea, "beyond the exactitude with which they describe reality, these figures hide unimaginable personal and family dramas, lives and destinies changed, sometimes in a violent way."

"Many studies on risk factors and protection as regards drug use show the connection between the age of onset of drug use, especially during adolescence, and the dangers associated to the consumption behavior, but also highlight the mission of the society as a protection factor. Youth are the most exposed to drug temptations and the society should find more time to offer them as an alternative to life by offering what is normal in a modern society. Therefore, this year we chose to mark the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and eleven years of existence of the National Anti-drug Agency by launching — via the most popular social network among youth, in general, as well as among adults — an information page, a space used to exchange experiences, opinions and to hold debates. We are aware that the younger generations are very different from ten years ago, both as concerns their behaviour and their mentalities. In response to all this, we must find new strategies to address this issue, when it comes to fighting drug use and especially reducing drug demand," the message reads.

According to Oprea, disseminating this message to the youth via social...