Moldova's Education Ministry prepares new measures of pupils' protection against drugs

The Education and Research Ministry (MEC) is working on a comprehensive set of measures to prevent the consumption and distribution of drugs in the school environment. A consultant at MEC’s General Education Management Department, Inga Grosu, has made statements to this effect during parliamentary hearings on combating the phenomenon of drugs among young people.

According to Grosu, the safety of children is a central pillar of educational policies.

“For the Education and Research Ministry, the safety and protection of children in the educational environment is a priority. Combating drugs’ consumption and distribution in schools is a real challenge, but also an area where we have strengthened our efforts to find effective solutions,” said Inga Grosu.

The MEC representative emphasized that the institution worked closely with the Interior Ministry (MAI), competent institutions and international organizations, including the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF).

“Together with colleagues from MAI and our partners, we had a joint meeting where we identified clear actions and goals. We aim to include them in a common action plan, particularly focused on prevention,” the official said.

The plan focuses on developing students' resilience skills and training teachers to quickly recognize risky behaviors and signs.

“It is necessary to develop skills that help students resist temptations and to train teachers to identify risk signs and intervene when a child is in a vulnerable situation,” Inga Grosu highlighted.

At the same time, MEC and the Interior Ministry plan to carry out joint actions in educational institutions where urgent situations have been reported.

“We have planned special lessons in schools, organized together with MAI representatives, specialists from territorial psychopedagogical assistance structures, and class teachers. With the support of the Republican Center for Psychopedagogical Assistance, we have developed three lesson projects dedicated to preventing risky behaviors and identifying vulnerable signs,” announced the MEC representative.

They will include methods for recognizing risks, activities to strengthen emotional resilience and clear guidelines for students on reporting a case.

According to the quoted source, the Ministry is preparing an integrated mechanism for reporting incidents related to drugs’ consumption or distribution.

“We want teachers and auxiliary staff to know exactly where to report a case, and pupils to have readily available contact information for structures they can address, including the Child’s Phone. It's important that they have the courage and confidence to report when a classmate or friend is in a risky situation,” said Inga Grosu.

Besides topic-related lessons, the MEC is preparing information campaigns and parenting programs for parents, focusing on nonviolent communication and recognizing risky behaviors in adolescents.

“We want a consolidated intersectoral mechanism, capable not only of preventing, but also of intervening when necessary. We rely on the support of each structure—from the Interior Ministry and social assistance to international partners,” concluded the MEC official.

The joint action plan is to be finalized and publicly presented, establishing the responsibilities of institutions and unified intervention procedures in risk cases in schools.