NATIONAL STRATEGY ON DRUGS 2003 -2004

Chapter 1 - GENERAL PRESENTATION
Chapter 2 - INTRODUCTION
Chapter 3 - GOVERNING PRINCIPLES, STRATEGIC VIEW, GOAL AND OBJECTIVES
                   OF THE STRATEGY
Chapter 4 - SPECIFIC INTERVENTION AREAS
Chapter 5 - INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK
Chapter 6 - INFORMATIONAL SYSTEMS
Chapter 7 - FINANCING
Chapter 8 - EVALUATION

CHAPTER 1
GENERAL PRESENTATION

Foreword from the Romanian Prime- Minister

"Why a National Strategy on Drugs?"

Adrian Nastase,
Romanian Prime-Minister

    According to some UN, Interpol and Europol estimations, the "drug market" is, after the weapons market, positioned on the second place, with hundreds of billions of dollars obtained every year from this business. That's why conjugated and sustained efforts are needed, involving all states, in order to eradicate this plague that affects a great number of people all around the world, especially young people.
    Drug problem is one of particular significance, when considering also our country's geographical position on the main European communications routes, between the drug producing countries and those facing major drug-related problems.
    If Romania was mostly a transit country in the beginning of the '90s, when so-called "Balkans route" has developed targeting the West-European countries, a profitable and fast-evolving drug-market is now growing also on our national territory.
    In the context of the current effort carried out at world scale in the fight against terrorism and taking into account the fact that the profit raised from the drug market represents one of the main supports for the terrorist groups, the Romanian Government, through its specialized institutions, has been taking special measures to eradicate this phenomenon.
    In this order, it is very important for us to have an effective system for surveillance and control, from the state border, to the inland territory, able to cut down as much as possible the access of the illicit drugs in Romania. I take into consideration the measures for preventing and countering the illegal drug trafficking in Border checkpoints and Customs, as well as the international cooperation with all institutions involved in the fight against drugs, in order to obtain information about producing areas, transit routes, destinations areas and persons involved, so to limit at least, if not stopping this ascending phenomenon. The Ministry of Interior, especially through the Border Police, has taken specific measures in order to increase the level of security at the State Borders, and so to uncover and to stop any attempt to introduce drugs in Romania.
    Also, through its General Directorate for Countering Organized Crime and Anti-Drug, the Ministry of Interior has been continuously fighting for the identification and interdiction of the drug smugglers that fuel the Romanian market with drugs or take part into the international crime networks which cross-over our country.
    In order to have a concrete program of action against this plague, Romanian specialists elaborated this National Strategy on Drugs 2003-2004.
    This document comes to complete the legislative framework and the main directions of action for all institutions involved in the fight against drugs, to be a tool for future projects and evaluations in the drug field.
    It is also of great importance for us to re-evaluate the role of the school and of the family in the education of youth, in order to decrease substantially the number of those who become victims to drugs. I do not intend to say just "lip service", but only maintaining the health of future generations, will ensure the vitality of the nation and the chance for a normal growing of the Romanian society.
    I consider it as a great responsibility for Romania's Government and we will act accordingly.
    In 2000, the Parliament adopted the Law no. 143 regarding the fight against illicit drug trafficking and use, developed in accordance with UN, UE and Council of Europe's demands and objectives, which ensures the legislative framework in the field.
    I intend to mention also the importance of preventive measures, that must be taken into consideration by the Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Education and Research, Ministry of Justice and, last but not least, Ministry of Health and Family, which has great responsibilities in this field.
    I also consider equally that an adequate financial support is needed and we are ready to ensure this support, but we are determined also to control very strictly the way these funds will be spent.
    It is also necessary to strengthen the activities carried out in order to decrease at national level the number of young drug addicts and to monitor this issue as much as possible.
    I asked all my collaborators, all the NGO's involved, not to ignore those who struggle to expel the drugs, but to support them in rehabilitation and social reintegration.
    It is even more difficult to speak about social reintegration, because we have to speak about the entire education system in Romania. A great responsibility comes for teachers, for families, in order to support the former drug-addicted to regain their place and to finish their education.
    I am also thinking of all the efforts that have to be done by the Ministry of Labour and Social Solidarity - through its Department for Social Assistance, in order to help the former drug addicted persons to reintegrate into society, to have a certain and legal source of income, to live a normal life, free of drugs.
    I am waiting for a stronger and more active presence in our social life from all NGO's that have programs which target the drug supply and drug demand reduction.
    I consider that on this turning point we need support and assistance from all those that can save the drug victims, that can reintegrate them into society and even develop a social surveillance system for drug addicts, until their final social reintegration. The Drug Prevention and Counselling Centers could play a key role in this field.
    In the end, I want to express my hope that the National Strategy on Drugs will be an efficient and reliable tool, able to achieve all its goals and to contribute at the decreasing of the illicit drugs abuse.