Drug use among teenagers is becoming a reality increasingly difficult to ignore, and specialists warn that the phenomenon is reaching worrying proportions. In this context, the anti-drug campaign "Aware, not addicted", run nationwide by the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, has reached Turda, Baia Mare and Blaj, mobilizing thousands of students, teachers and parents around an essential message: prevention starts with information.
The series of actions brought to the forefront the direct dialog between young people, teachers and parents and specialists. Anti-drug expert Cătălin Țone and the psychologist and education expert of the Dan Voiculescu Foundation for the Development of Romania, Gabriela Maalouf, openly discussed temptations, peer pressure and the real consequences of substance use.
The meetings were structured in two directions: sessions dedicated to students, where myths about drugs were debunked, and meetings with parents, focusing on early identification of signs of drug use and the role of communication in the family. At the events, police representatives were also present to complement the discussions with information about the realities on the ground and the legal implications.
Participants received informative materials prepared by specialists to provide concrete guidance in a context where statistics are becoming increasingly alarming. According to the latest reports, about 1 in 16 Romanian students aged 15-16 has tried an illegal drug at least once, and in some urban communities, the percentage can even reach one in ten teenagers. What's more, studies show that almost 15% of high school students have used banned substances, and the use of cannabis, sedatives or synthetic substances is on the rise. At the same time, the phenomenon is worsening at national level: drug use and trafficking have increased significantly, by more than 27% in a single year, and Romania is no longer just a transit zone but a growing consumer market.
In this context, experts stress that early interventions in schools and communities can make a difference. European models show that effective prevention is not only about bans, but also about education, communication and the active involvement of families and schools. The actions carried out in Turda, Baia Mare and Blaj confirm this direction: when information reaches young people directly, and parents become part of the solution, risks can be significantly reduced.
The message of the national anti-drug campaign "Aware, not addicted" is clear: the fight against drugs does not start in the courts, but in the family, in school and in every choice we make every day. The series of national actions will continue from March 23-26 in Craiova, Arad, Chișineu Criș and Călărași.
