Hungary steps up its war on drugs

Under the leadership of the Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, the Hungarian government launched a sweeping crackdown presented as a moral crusade aimed at protecting the country's youth.

Visit March 2025, the government announced a national anti-drug campaign accompanied by a zero-tolerance policy, followed in April by a constitutional amendment stating: «The production, consumption, distribution, and promotion of drugs are prohibited in Hungary.».

From Risk Mitigation to Hostility

Hungary once had one of the the most progressive drug policies in Central Europe. Between 2000 and 2009, the national drug control strategy promoted harm reduction, which resulted, in particular, in a decrease in needle sharing. Although decriminalization was never implemented, the system focused on treatment and prevention rather than enforcement.

Everything changed radically after Fidesz came to power in 2010. According to Tamás Kardos, who writes for Talking Drugs, «Resources allocated to the fight against drugs have been cut by one-tenth, Budapest’s largest harm reduction centers have been closed, and the agency responsible for coordinating the fight against drugs has been abolished.».

Since 2020, Hungary has not had an official drug policy.

While Budapest was attempting to revive a more balanced approach in 2024 by aligning itself with the EU’s anti-drug strategy, Fidesz lawmakers attacked the initiative, calling it «disguised drug liberalization.».

Ineffective criminalization

Despite stricter laws, the’2024 ESPAD Survey revealed a sharp increase in the use of psychoactive substances among young people in Hungary. Among 15- and 16-year-olds, Hungarian students rank first in terms of smoking, of e-cigarette use, of alcohol consumption and consumption of’amphetamines and MDMA. These figures reveal a profound contradiction: the country’s punitive approach has not reduced drug use; in fact, it has likely exacerbated it.

Instead of tackling the root causes such as social inequalities, substandard mental health services, and housing instability, the Hungarian government continues to invest in alarmist strategies and the strengthening of law enforcement. According to Tamás Kardos, «criminalization and alarmist strategies have done little to reduce demand.».

The new drug laws, which are set to take effect mid-2025, have already emboldened law enforcement. Reports of random searches, of harassment and’disproportionate use of force by the police have increased. Officers have resumed tactics such as «nightclub raids,» closing down concert venues to search all attendees, and arresting young people on the street without valid cause.

In a harrowing case that made headlines, a 56-year-old man was beaten until he lost consciousness during a routine identity check in Szeged, after being found in possession of a few grams of cannabis. He died after undergoing two surgeries. The police later claimed that he was in possession of synthetic drugs and had resisted arrest. An internal investigation concluded that the officers« use of force was »necessary, lawful, professional, effective, and proportionate.”.

Tamás Kardos sums up the absurdity of this official version: «It is difficult to find the words to describe this reaction, and even more difficult to believe that the ongoing investigation by the Central Investigative Prosecutor’s Office will reach a different conclusion.»

Hypocrisy and the Alcohol Exception

Even as Hungary tightens its control over drugs, it continues to promote alcohol as an integral part of national life. Alongside its anti-drug crackdown, the government has launched a «bar program», offering grants of 7,500 euros to support bars in villages with fewer than 1,000 residents. The reason given? Bars are «essential community spaces.».

When asked about the contradiction between cracking down on illegal drug use and the’encouraging alcohol consumptionl, the Minister in Charge of the Prime Minister's Office replied, «The key distinction is that drug use is illegal, whereas alcohol consumption is not, and that, when consumed in moderation, alcohol can have beneficial effects on health.».

According to the data from the’World Health Organization, near’one in five Hungarians suffers from problematic alcohol use, at a rate well above that of most EU countries. At the same time, the’Access to medical cannabis remains blocked and those who attempt to obtain them illegally face severe penalties.

Children as a justification, not as a priority

Hungarian authorities often cite the child protection to justify controversial laws. In March 2025, the government banned Pride parades, claiming that they posed a risk to children. The same justification is now being used to intensify the war on drugs.

However, this rhetoric is not accompanied by investments in the youth mental health, theeducation or the prevention services. On the contrary, the funds are spent on surveillance, arrests, and campaigns that link drug use to moral decay.

«The decline in social and health support for young people will be blamed on those who use drugs,» notes Talking Drugs.

Even the small-scale cannabis cultivation is now strictly punished. Under the new rules, growing six plants—a relatively minor offense in many European countries—can result in fines equivalent to those imposed for drug trafficking.

In addition, individuals arrested in possession of a «small amount» of drugs must now undergo a six-month detoxification treatment or report their supplier.

The crackdown on drug use is not an isolated phenomenon. A new bill titled «Transparency in Public Life» would allow the government to dissolve any organization it deems a threat to «Hungarian sovereignty.» This could have a chilling effect on NGOs, journalists, and civil society actors, many of whom are already subject to surveillance or intimidation.

As Tamás Kardos writes, «Violence has been unleashed against migrants, LGBT people, and drug users. Who will be next?».