Ensuring safety of our educational institutions and protecting the younger generation remain top priorities for Moldova.
To this end, over 400 police officers trained in psychology and education will be actively involved in measures for prevention, early intervention, and enhanced safety in schools. They will work alongside teachers, medical and support staff, and addiction specialists to detect early signs of drug use and provide timely assistance through counseling, psychological support, and access to specialized services.
Interior Minister Misail-Nichitin highlighted these initiatives during a press briefing with Minister of Education and Research Perciun, making the launch of the Joint Plan for the Prevention of Drug Use in Schools.
“The joint plan to prevent the use and distribution of illicit substances in schools is designed to protect every student and ensure the safety and well-being of children and young people. It sends a clear message: protecting children and preventing drug use in educational settings is a national priority”, stated Minister of Internal Affairs.
“Drug use among teenagers is an issue that must be addressed through education, prevention, and institutional cooperation. Schools must be safe spaces where students not only learn but also develop the skills to make responsible choices and cope with social pressures. Through this joint plan with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, we are reinforcing prevention efforts in schools, enhancing teachers’ capacities, and expanding support services for students at risk”, said Minister of Education and Research.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs will strengthen police presence around educational institutions and increase patrols in these areas, improving prevention both on school premises and in locations frequented by children and young people, such as parks or playgrounds. Starting March 11, police began implementing prevention and deterrence measures near schools.
In parallel, inspections at retail establishments around schools will be conducted to prevent the sale of tobacco products and e-cigarettes to minors. Beginning March 14, specialized canine teams will patrol vulnerable areas each weekend and joint police-carabinieri patrols will monitor the areas around schools and places frequented by young people, particularly in major cities, to detect potential drug hideouts.
Increased attention is also being paid to the online environment. The National Investigation Inspectorate will monitor digital platforms used for drug distribution and provide an anonymous reporting system, allowing students, teachers, parents, and citizens to safely report suspicious activity. This will enable early intervention and strengthen prevention measures.
Additionally, authorities have proposed amendments to the legal framework on drug-related issues. These changes aim to better protect minors through stricter penalties for enticing them into drug use or distribution, harsher sanctions for offences involving criminal groups or committed near schools, reduced possibilities to evade criminal liability, clarified regulations for ethnobotanicals and new psychoactive substances, and updated rules regarding chemical precursors used in drug production.
The plan aims to reach at least 60% of students in grades 6 – 12 (approximately 99,000 young people) through awareness-raising and preventive education activities. Each school year, thematic lessons will be integrated into subjects such as Personal Development, Health Education, and Legal Socialization to help students understand the risks of illicit substance use, recognize social and online pressures, and make responsible decisions.
In addition, the Police will support partnership with families through parenting education programs and participation in awareness-raising sessions and webinars on effective communication and the risks of drug use.
Teachers and school specialists will receive training to identify early signs of drug use, while students and their families will have access to an interactive map of available support and counseling services.
Schools, families, communities, and government agencies form the first line of defense for children and young people, and tackling drug use requires the involvement of the whole society. Any suspicious behavior should be reported immediately to 112, enabling authorities to intervene promptly and prevent potential dangers in the school environment.
In the past 24 hours, the 112 Service received 8 reports of suspicious drug-related behavior. At the same time, 15 individuals were apprehended in connection with the use and illegal trafficking of prohibited substances. Law enforcement also seized 10.5 kg of drugs, valued at over 5 million MDL. Among those detained was a foreign national involved in an international network for the production, smuggling, and sale of drugs, who had hidden narcotics inside a music box.
Together, schools, families, communities, and government institutions form the first line of defense in protecting students, children, and young people.
