Moldovan Interior Ministry, Education Ministry launch joint action plan to prevent drug use, trafficking among pupils, young people

The Education and Research Ministry (MEC) and the Interior Ministry (MAI) have launched a joint action plan for 2026–2027, in order to prevent drug use and trafficking among pupils and young people. The plan includes communication and awareness activities, measures to strengthen safety around educational institutions, and enhanced patrolling, as part of a joint effort by state institutions, schools, parents and the community to combat this phenomenon.

At a today’s news conference, Education and Research Minister Dan Perciun, said that, through this joint action plan, the authorities aimed to strengthen prevention measures in schools, develop teachers’ competencies and expand support services for children at risk.

“Drug use among adolescents is a complex problem, and our response must be based, first and foremost, on prevention and education. School must be a safe space where students not only learn, but also develop the ability to make responsible decisions and to cope with pressures from their social and online environment,” said Dan Perciun.

The actions will focus on informing students, training teachers, school psychologists and medical staff and strengthening communication with parents.

“We aim, in the coming period, to reach at least 60 per cent of all pupils in grades 6–12. This means roughly 100,000 students. We will distribute information materials and organize lessons on this topic. Awareness activities will also be carried out in vocational schools and colleges,” added Dan Perciun.

At the same time, the authorities will conduct a national survey on the perception and incidence of drug use among pupils.

“The last survey of this kind was carried out in 2019. To have up-to-date data and to be able to rely on real evidence when we talk about the scale of the phenomenon, we will repeat this survey in 2026 together with our colleagues from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). We will also have very clear procedures for educational institutions on how to prevent and how to manage cases, especially when they suspect or detect drug use,” Perciun noted.

The minister emphasized that, in addition to informing pupils, the actions would also include discussions with teaching staff.

“About 60 per cent of teachers will take part in training courses. All school psychologists and around 2,000 homeroom teachers from technical vocational education will receive additional guidance, so they can recognize signs of drug use and know what to do when they suspect or detect such situations. And, last but not least, school medical assistants will benefit from targeted training based on the same model during the next year and a half,” added the education minister.

In addition, a campaign focused on parental education will be carried out, with more than one thousand parents expected to take part in the activities.

For her part, Interior Minister Daniella Misail-Nichitin said that the joint action plan aimed to protect every pupil and each young person of Moldova. More than 400 police officers with psycho-pedagogical training will be involved in the activities included in the plan.

“This plan, in fact, sends a very clear message: protecting children and preventing drug use in the educational environment is a national priority. The MAI, through the General Police Inspectorate (IGP) and its territorial subdivisions, will directly involve more than 400 police officers with psycho-pedagogical training in the implementation of this plan. Through their expertise, police officers will actively contribute to prevention measures, early intervention and enhancing safety in the educational environment,” the minister said.

Through their actions, MAI officers aim to contribute to increasing safety in and around educational institutions.

“It is the responsibility of the Interior Ministry to strengthen the police presence around schools and increase the number of patrols in these areas. In fact, starting this week, the Police and Carabineers are already carrying out such actions, precisely to discourage possible activities related to the circulation of these substances near educational institutions,” the interior minister noted.

In parallel, periodic inspections will be organized in commercial units near schools, in order to prevent the sale of tobacco products or electronic cigarettes to minors.

At the same time, investigative measures will be intensified, in order to identify and dismantle drug distribution networks, including in the school environment.

Daniella Misail-Nichitin also announced that an online platform would be made operational in the near future, through which possible cases of drug use or illegal trafficking can be reported anonymously, so that the Police can intervene immediately.

The Minister of Internal Affairs also said that the authorities were working on a draft law introducing much harsher measures for those who use children in the sale or distribution of drugs and psychotropic substances. The draft also includes provisions that would no longer allow the exemption from criminal liability of those who use minors for such purposes. The draft is already on the government’s platform and is expected to be submitted to parliament for examination by the end of this month, Misail-Nichitin said.

She added that, starting this weekend, measures to check green areas would also be intensified, in order to discourage the use and distribution of illegal substances.