Preda said that most of these users mainly inject heroin, adding even though the number seems low compared to Bucharest’s population of about 2 million, this type of drug user crosses paths with other categories of people as well.
Preda explained that a large part of those who inject drugs have unsafe sex or they prostitute themselves.
At the same time, while only 1% of HIV/AIDS patients inject drugs, there can be serious epidemic risks, since these people share needles or have unprotected sex with others.
Also, according to Preda, between 50% and 60% of injected drug users come to develop one form of hepatitis.
The average age of drug users in Romania, according to Preda, is 15-16 years.
As for the incarceration of drug users, according to Preda, 50% of incarcerated drug users said they were able to use drugs in prison as well.