Romanian Patriarchate urges caution over drug decriminalisation proposal, calls for prevention and treatment

Fr Florin-Ciprian Petre, Patriarchal Secretary at the Press and Public Relations Office of the Romanian Patriarchate and a serving priest at the chapel of the Prof. Dr Alexandru Obregia Clinical Psychiatric Hospital in Bucharest, represented His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel at the public debate “Drugs in Romania: Prevention, Treatment and Combating Drug Trafficking”.

The debate was held last Thursday at the Palace of Parliament to discuss legislative proposal B544/2026, submitted to the Senate, which proposes relaxing certain provisions of drug legislation.

The Romanian Patriarchate’s representative highlighted the complexity of drug use and its consequences for public health, personal life, families and communities.

He stressed the need for a responsible approach integrating prevention, education, therapeutic intervention and support for people affected by addiction.

Referring to the legislative initiative to decriminalise certain offences involving the possession of drugs for personal use, Fr Florin-Ciprian Petre conveyed the Romanian Patriarchate’s concerns.

He emphasised the importance of carefully assessing the legal, educational and social consequences of such…