Vasile Koroi
A European study published in 2025 shows that only 3.9% of adolescents aged 15-16 from the Republic of Moldova stated that they had used drugs illegally at least once in their life, while the European average is about 13%.
Nevertheless, statistical data for the last three years indicate an increase in drug trafficking, especially when it comes to synthetic drugs and mixtures of narcotic substances. According to the Inspectorate General of Police, 1,301 cases of drug-related crimes involving minors were registered in 2025, an increase of 25.9% compared to the previous period.
One of the most frequent offenses is drug trafficking without the purpose of sale, in this category an increase of 9.3% was recorded compared to 2024. At the same time, the number of cases of drug trafficking for the purpose of sale increased by more than 40%: from 300 cases in 2024 to 425 in 2025.
The Ombudsman proposes to abandon a repressive approach
Vasile Koroi also drew attention to the fact that almost all criminal cases involving minors were brought to court without the use of mechanisms of diversion from the criminal justice system (de-juridization).
“This practice points to a predominantly repressive approach, regardless of whether the act concerns the possession of drugs without the purpose of sale or their distribution,” he said.
The People’s Advocate for Children’s Rights believes it is necessary to change the approach in anti-drug policy:
“I believe a paradigm shift is necessary – a shift from punitive measures to comprehensive measures of prevention, treatment, psychological counseling and social reintegration. It is important to recognize children who use psychoactive substances as beneficiaries of state protection rather than criminals or offenders,” Koroi said.
