Drug Use Among Young Romanians: Cluj Reports Most Cases Amid Data Woes

Drug consumption among young Romanians under 25 remains a serious concern, with a new report highlighting significant regional disparities and systemic issues in data collection. The first edition of the ABC Barometer, compiled by the Alliance for the Common Good, aims to consolidate medical, judicial, and penitentiary data to assess the impact of drug use.

The study reveals that official figures on drug use among youth are not unified. Information is scattered across different government systems, and institutions do not adhere to consistent reporting standards. This fragmentation makes it difficult to establish a clear national picture of the problem.

Cluj county reported the highest number of drug-related cases or patients under 25, with 1,751 instances recorded between 2021 and 2025, according to data submitted for the ABC Barometer. Other counties with high reported figures include Brașov (547), Hunedoara (442), Bucharest (367), and Argeș (316).

However, the report cautions against drawing direct conclusions about prevalence based solely on these numbers. Differences in reporting methods, some institutions provided patient numbers, others medical visit counts, and varying time periods for data collection complicate direct comparisons. Furthermore, regional medical centers serving multiple counties can skew local figures. The study also notes instances of minors being recruited for drug trafficking near schools, as reported in Botoșani county.