Statistics Show Btw 17,000 And 24,000 Injected Drug Users In Bucharest In ‘09

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.