Drug Abuse in the Global Village

Romania

EXTENT, PATTERNS AND TRENDS IN DRUG ABUSE

                        Extent of Drug Abuse

In 1992, 13 drug abusers (including 12 foreigners who were in transit through Romania) were registered (79 in 1990 and 10 in 1989), out of which 5 were addicted to cannabis, 4 to opium, 3 to heroin and 1 to synthetic narcotic analgesics. In 1990, there were 30 benzodiazepine drug abusers, 24 sedative hypnotic abusers and 25 volatile substance abusers. In 1989, registered abusers were addicted to benzodiazepine and sedative hypnotics. Surveys to determine the extent of drug abuse were not reported (U.N. 1989,1990,1992).

                       Abuser Characteristics

In 1992, all but one of the registered drug abusers were male and over 35 years of age (U.N. 1992). Volatile substance abuse among young adolescents was reported in 1989 (U.N. 1989).

                         Regional  Variations

No regional variations in drug abuse can be drawn due to the limited number of registered drug abusers (U.N. 1992).

                                    Trends

Drug abuse was reported stable in 1992. The number of drug addicts registered does not lend itself to the observation of any trends (U.N. 1992).

                             Mode of intake

Opium is reported inhaled while heroin and synthetic narcotic analgesics are injected (U.N. 1992).

    COSTS AND CONSEQUENCES OF ABUSE

The costs and consequences of drug abuse in Romania are at present considered insignificant (U.N. 1992).

            No intravenous drug addicts have been reported to have AIDS (AIDS in Europe 1993).

   NATIONAL RESPONSES TO DRUG ABUSE

                           National Strategy

Due to the limited number of drug addicts in Romania, the Government reports that no national programme for drug abuse prevention have been put into place (U.N. 1992).

LEGAL, ADMINISTRATIVE AND OTHER ACTION
TAKEN TO IMPLEMENT THE INTERNATIONAL
             DRUG CONTROL TREATIES**

                           Treaty adherence

Romania is Party to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs as amended by the 1972 Protocol, 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances, and the 1988 Convention against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances.

        DEMAND REDUCTION ACTIVITIES

                          Primary Prevention

Medical and law enforcement personnel receive basic training (U.N. 1992).

                 Treatment and Rehabilitation

There are no specialized treatment facilities. Treatment is carried out in psychiatric hospitals (U.N. 1992).

          SUPPLY REDUCTION ACTIVITIES

      Arrests, Convictions and types of Offences

In 1991, 14 persons were convicted of drug related offences (11 for trafficking, 3 for consumption) out of which 10 were unemployed and 10 were between 20 and 29 years old (U.N. 1991).

                                   Seizures

In 1991, 13.170 kg of cocaine, 12.372 kg of heroin, 10 kg of opium and 0.161 kg of cannabis were seized. A strong increase in the illicit traffic of heroin, opium and cocaine in Romania has been reported in 1991 (U.N. 1991).

                      Supply Source of Drugs

Opium seized in Romania originated from Turkey, heroin from Pakistan, Turkey and Iran, and cocaine from Colombia (U.N. 1991).

                       References and Notes

** The Legal, Administrative and Other Action Taken to Implement the International Drug Control Treaties section was prepared by the Secretariat of the Commission on Narcotic Drugs based on Annual Reports Questionnaires for the years .... (not available by January 15th 1994).

U.N. 1989,1990,1992.  Replies to the UNDCP Annual Reports Questionnaires for the years 1989, 1990 and 1992.

AIDS in Europe 1993.  AIDS surveillance in Europe, Quarterly Report No. 38, 30 June 1993