Moldovan education minister reacts to initiative for capital's pupils to take drug tests

Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun today reacted to the proposal by the mayor of Chisinau, Ion Ceban, to mandate that the capital's pupils undergo drug tests. Dan Perciun argues that this initiative is ‘’ill-considered’’ and requires ‘’more analysis.’’ Health Minister Emil Ceban also said that he was not prepared to support the idea of introducing drug screenings in schools.

'I encourage Ion Ceban to connect with the Ministry of Health and the Interior Ministry and make sure that he is not making arbitrary proposals. (...) I find it to be a somewhat ill-considered proposal that requires more analysis. This idea, at first glance, sounds cosmically,’’ said Dan Perciun after the today's cabinet meeting, when asked by journalists to respond to the mayor's proposal.

At the same time, Dan Perciun said that implementing such a measure would mean forcing 107,000 children to undergo an intrusive and unnecessary procedure.

‘’I was honestly surprised by the proposal of the Chisinau mayor for all pupils of the capital to be required to take drug tests. Implementing such a measure would mean forcing 107,000 children to go through an intrusive and unnecessary procedure. Such bewildering ideas usually emerge, typically against the backdrop of an excess of... inspiration,’’ Dan Perciun wrote in a Facebook post.

According to the official, the focus in this case should be on what truly works: prevention, education and combating criminal networks involved in drug trafficking.

At the same time, Dan Perciun noted that the practice of mandatory universal drug screening for all pupils did not exist in democratic states with effective educational systems.

’’The situation demands prompt and well-thought-out interventions, not populist brute force. The practice of mandatory universal drug screening for all pupils does NOT exist in democratic states with effective educational systems. Where tests are conducted, they are always targeted, voluntary, strictly regulated and never applied en masse,’’ wrote the education minister.

The official emphasized that, in recent months, there had been firm actions by the Interior Ministry to identify and hold accountable those involved in illicit trafficking.

For its part, the Education Ministry, in partnership with the Interior Ministry, has begun informational activities within personal development classes, Dan Perciun said. Starting next February, these sessions—meant for both pupils and parents—will be conducted nationwide, using standardized teaching materials, with the participation of class teachers, psychologists and specially trained police officers for school communication.

Health Minister Emil Ceban also reacted in this case. He specified that he was not prepared to support the idea of introducing drug screenings in schools. The minister addressed the need for the prevention of drug use among young people, highlighting the collaboration between the Health Ministry, the Education Ministry and youth organizations. The aim is to develop educational and preventive programmes in schools, with a focus on high-risk individuals. The minister highlighted the idea of introducing medical checks and special assessments for young people applying for a driver's license as part of preventive measures; yet, he   stressed that the intervention should be conducted in collaboration with the community and educational institutions.