Issues: A tremendous growth occurred in the reported drug use and abuse in Romania from 1995 to 1999. Lack of concern by government and little policy attention contributed to the surprising delay of drug policy and drug prevention system development. General public stigmatize drug users and drug consumption is considered a matter of personal fault and responsibility. There is some but not sufficient research and evaluation on drug use, abuse problem.
Approach: Drug use, abuse and prevention are discussed from research-based, user-focused and prevention system development perspectives. Prevalence and trends of drug use, abuse in the past decade (1995-2005) are summarized. Prevention issues are discussed based on research data from adolescents, parents and teachers. The Romanian primary drug prevention system has been evaluated based on our experiences in drug use prevention activities carried out in schools and recreational environments.
Key findings: Public and scientific perspectives on drug consumption in Romania, between 1995 and 1999, were dominated by an idealistic, non-realistic perception. Since 1995, drug use among adolescents increased almost four times in less than 4 years. The first law against drug traffic and consumption was issued only in 2000. Now primary drug prevention strategies are in action, but in general they are lacking standard evaluation procedures. IMPLICATIONS/CONCLUSION: Conclusions are drafted for new perspectives in prevention activities. More long-term, user-focused, demand-centred prevention activities should be carried out in more and more diversified settings and evaluation should be thoroughly considered.