Hungary is stepping up efforts to protect young people from drugs, with authorities warning that traffickers are increasingly targeting schools. At a press conference in Budapest on Thursday, government commissioner László Horváth announced the launch of a new police-led drug prevention programme (REDP) starting in September, focused primarily on educational institutions.
Horváth stressed that combating drug abuse requires more than strict law enforcement. Alongside criminal penalties, he called for strong community action, a firm rejection of pro-drug narratives, and greater emphasis on rehabilitation and prevention. Protecting children’s health and ensuring their safe development, he said, must be a national priority.
He added that Hungary needs a broad societal consensus that ‘drugs are harmful and dangerous’. A new government decree will allow civil organizations and qualified individuals to contribute to school-based prevention programmes during the 2025/2026 academic year. The National Public Health and Pharmaceutical Centre (NNGYK) will accredit applicants, who must demonstrate three years of relevant experience and submit detailed programme plans.
Deputy National Police Chief Sándor Töreki explained that the REDP will combine legal enforcement with preventive education, highlighting that drugs ‘tear apart the fabric of society’. Backed by 215 million forints in funding, the programme will involve over 3,000 professionals, including 2,200 police officers and hundreds of school security staff.
The initiative will prioritize schools, where workshops will raise awareness among students, teachers, and parents about the dangers of drug use. Prevention campaigns will also be extended to community forums, prisons, and online platforms. Police will additionally draw on best practices from international prevention models.
For the rollout, police are seeking partnerships with civil and state organizations. So far, ten agreements have been signed, including with the National Crime Prevention Council, the Klebelsberg Centre, and the Hungarian Maltese Charity Service.
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