Hungary Tackles Drugs Head-On While Overlooking Root Causes
Most Hungarians strongly favor the reinforcement of drug legislation. , as mentioned recently Europion survey Only 12% disapprove of the modifications, whereas approximately two-thirds strongly support the government’s new initiative, which intensifies sanctions and restricts participation in alternative programs.
A vote-gaining exercise?
In recent weeks, police have conducted a series of raids under the banner of the war on drugs. However, according to drug policy expert Péter Sárosi, founder of Drogriporter, the government's push to further tighten what are already some of the EU’s strictest drug laws seems more like an election promise than an effective strategy for addressing the issue.
Effective preventive programs exist, investing in treatments for individuals battling drug addiction is sensible, as is establishing community initiatives. However, these elements are absent in Hungary due to lack of funding and support," clarified Sárosi, adding that research indicates raising the intensity of penalties does not effectively deter crime.
He stated that what's occurring in Hungary is primarily an example of penal populism—a tactic aimed at winning votes rather than genuinely addressing the issue at hand.
Individuals residing in severe poverty face the highest danger.
In Hungary’s most impoverished rural regions, drug use stands out prominently, with numerous individuals resorting to inexpensive, artificial, and extremely dangerous drugs as an escape from their grim circumstances. Last week, Prime Minister Viktor Orbán traveled to South Heves, a region significantly impacted by this issue.
You recognize the issue exists because these destructive substances, affecting both our youth and adults, are spreading rapidly. This is particularly true for this region. My aim is to put an end to it. That’s precisely why I’m here—to eliminate this problem. said In Tarnazsadany. Several villagers informed us that recent police operations had removed drug dealers from the area, leading to a noticeable decrease in local drug use.
“I doubt anyone would be willing to serve a 10-year sentence just to possess and sell these drugs,” remarked a woman. A man chimed in, expressing his relief at the disappearance of the drug dealers.
“I noticed over the weekend at the pub that they have resumed their drinking habits. They would gather, converse, and subsequently start drinking. It’s great news that they’ve ceased using crystals and all of that. You won’t come across any drugs in Tarnazsadány these days,” he mentioned.
A lot of individuals fear drug dealers.
Some acknowledged that drug dealers still operate within the municipality, yet they refrain from discussing this openly out of fear. Nonetheless, most of these individuals are recognized by their names.
The circumstances are comparable across numerous communities in this region. In Tarnaörs, we encountered an individual struggling with addiction who wished to stay unnamed yet disclosed that each dosage of his substance of choice costs roughly one thousand Hungarian Forint (approximately €2.48). An additional resident informed us that around eleven individuals are currently involved in selling narcotics within the municipality’s population of approximately eighteen hundred residents. Despite periodic arrests and incarcerations of these dealers, fresh replacements swiftly emerge to take their place.
Péter Sárosi believes that addressing the issue of drug users who live in severe poverty requires a thorough program.
"The usage of designer drugs has become almost emblematic in these impoverished rural communities. Substance abuse serves as a means of escaping the absence of opportunities, widespread poverty, extreme destitution, and social isolation. To effectively address this issue, we must target the underlying causes. For instance, providing young individuals with promising futures could help them envision what lies ahead, encourage further education, and create pathways out of severe deprivation they face. Additionally, tackling housing poverty is crucial. It would also benefit youth to engage in organized and purposeful activities during their leisure time," explained the expert.
Recently, we have reached out multiple times to Government Commissioner for Drugs, László Horváth, regarding whether the administration intends to tackle the underlying societal issues contributing to drug abuse alongside conducting raids. However, both the official and the police declined to participate in an interview on this matter.