Though amendments have been made to the legislation to prevent the discrimination of injectable drug users over the last few years, there is no yet efficient mechanism for implementing this legislation. The persons who take drugs continue to be subject to discriminatory treatment by the police. The conclusion is contained in the study “Perceptions and behavior of the police towards injectable drug users in the Republic of Moldova” that was carried out by Promo-LEX Association with the support of Soros Foundation Moldova, IPN reports.

According to the study, over 2/3 of the police officers continue to believe that those who take injectable drugs are offenders rather than victims and associate them with criminals. Each second policeman considers that those who take drugs are infected with hepatitis and HIV, while about 5% of the police officers think that most of the offenses in their cities are committed by injectable drug users. The study covered the cities Chisinau and Balti.

Most of the police officers consider that the fines imposed at present on drug users in Moldova are too small and should be considerably increased. 40% of the policemen believe that the situation concerning the taking of injectable drugs has worsened. Most of the times, the drugs are purchased in discothèques, bars and on the street.

On the other hand, the questioned drug users said the police have slightly changed their behavior over the last five years, but they continue to be treated as offenders. If a crime is committed in their settlement, the police suspect them first and search their houses or even blackmail them. The police behavior towards women who take drugs is better, but they are searched too.

The study recommends developing efficient rehabilitations services for drug users and taking efficient measures to prevent drug taking. The policy should be trained how to behave towards those who take drugs, while the authorities should work out a guide on how to communicate with drug users.

The study “Perceptions and behavior of the police towards injectable drug users in the Republic of Moldova” was made at the initiative of the Public Health Program of Soros Foundation Moldova. Soros Moldova program coordinator Vitalie Slobozean said the study is important in the context of the police reform and of the European integration.

Ala Yatsko, head of the public association “Union for the Prevention of HIV and Risk Reduction”, said the people who take drugs are not lost for society and, if they are supported, including by the police, they stop taking drugs and can have a normal life.