Nearly 70% of high school students in Bucharest have consumed alcohol, 37% have been drunk at least once, 39% have smoked, 45% have used e-cigarettes, and almost 15% have tried various illegal substances, according to a comprehensive study conducted by the General Directorate of Social Assistance of the Municipality of Bucharest (DGASMB) in 60 high schools across the capital. The study was based on a sample of over 8,000 10th-grade students aged 15 and 16. The questionnaire behind the study was administered between October and December 2024 and aimed to offer a clear picture of substance use among Bucharest teenagers. This research will serve as the foundation for methodologies that local authorities will develop and implement to prevent drug use and improve young people’s lives, according to the City Hall of Bucharest.

On Thursday, the City Hall of Bucharest, through the General Directorate of Social Assistance (DGASMB), launched the research report “Planet Youth 2024–2025” at ARCUB. The report provides a clear image of substance use among adolescents in the capital and will serve as a tool for developing prevention strategies and improving the quality of life for young people.

The Planet Youth 2024–2025 report is the result of a broad study carried out by DGASMB in 60 high schools in Bucharest, based on a sample of over 8,000 10th-grade students aged between 15 and 16. The questionnaire was applied between October and December 2024, gathering relevant data on social factors and substance use among teenagers.

The research highlighted several key findings: 68% of students have consumed alcohol at some point in their lives, 37% have been drunk at least once, 39% of respondents have smoked, 45% have used e-cigarettes, 7% have consumed cannabis, 4% have taken sleeping pills or tranquilizers, 2% have used ethnobotanical substances, and 1% have tried ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines, cathinones, or spice — at least once in their lives.

Additionally, the report revealed a significant rate of homemade alcohol consumption in Bucharest — 44%. 36% of students tried alcohol at age 13 or younger, 36% drink alcohol at home, and 29% even receive it from a family member.

Present at the event at ARCUB, Jón Sigfússon, founder of Planet Youth, explained Iceland’s success in reducing youth substance use, recalling that in the 1990s, Iceland was facing one of the most severe alcohol and drug problems among teenagers in Europe.

He said, “We had all the 'classic ingredients' — campaigns telling young people to say no to drugs, restrictive legislation, treatment centers. And still, the problem kept growing. We realized the approach was wrong. Kids already knew drugs were dangerous — we didn’t have an information problem, but an environmental and responsibility one. As adults, as a society, we weren’t offering them a framework that could protect them. That’s how the Planet Youth model was born, built on three essential pillars.”

According to him, the first pillar is the use of real data, collected directly from adolescents, every year. “We didn’t just ask how much they drank or smoked — we asked about the environment they live in, their relationship with their parents, whether they have recreational activities, how they spend their free time. Only by understanding what leads to consumption can we know what to change. Without this data, any policy is just a guess.”

The second pillar is community involvement, with the understanding that change cannot come only from central authorities. “We worked directly with municipalities, schools, parents, and local organizations. Actions must be taken by the community for the community. When parents, teachers, and local leaders collaborate, they become a real protective force around teenagers.”

The third pillar is continuous dialogue between researchers, policymakers, and practitioners. “When these three groups work together, that’s when results happen.”

Jón Sigfússon emphasized that this reform didn’t happen overnight. It was a continuous process that started from the real-life experiences of young people and grew organically. Year after year, an environment was built in which teenagers felt safe, supported, and engaged — ultimately leading to a drastic drop in alcohol and drug use.

Cosmina Simiean Nicolescu, Director General of DGASMB, believes that the results of the research provide a solid foundation for understanding the causes that can lead to drug use among young people. “They highlight the importance of family and school environment, free time, and the relationship with parents and teachers. Where adolescents don’t feel comfortable or don’t have a good connection with the environment they live and study in, the risk of developing substance use behaviors increases. The study also shows that seemingly minor habits, such as using e-cigarettes, are often overlooked but can be contributing factors to drug use. Time spent with family, emotional support, and the feeling of belonging — all of these influence the decisions teenagers make.”

In turn, Lucian Judele, the City Manager of Bucharest, stated that the issue of drug use cannot be solved by a single office or institution. “This is a complex challenge that needs everyone — parents, teachers, NGOs, local administration, and the community. We must work together, without egos, without shifting blame, keeping our eyes on reality and our thoughts on the future of our children.”

Planet Youth is a drug prevention program that evolved from “Youth in Europe – Evidence Based Primary Prevention” and is now considered one of the largest healthy lifestyle promotion initiatives in the world. The program has been implemented in Romania since September 19, 2007, when the General Mayor of Bucharest signed the Declaration Against Drug Use. Over time, the program expanded internationally, and in 2018 it was renamed Planet Youth.

The program involves, among other things, conducting regular research studies that inform prevention programs for youth drug use and contribute to the development of public policies based on real-world data.

The launch event for the “Planet Youth 2024–2025” research report was organized by DGASMB, with the support of ARCUB and the Honorary Consulate of Iceland in Bucharest.

Written by Andreea Unturica, News.ro | 29 mai 2025, 16:59