Attitudes to legal framework changes in the field of drugs and drug addiction

Prevalence of psychoactive substance use
Prevalence of medication use
Prevalence of drug use
Drug prevention
Treatment supply
Treatment demand
Health consequences
Harm reduction
Drug-related crimes
Drug market
Drug use and prison
Monitoring of publications
Attitudes to legal framework changes

Attitude of general population (aged 15-64) in Bulgaria to some statements and proposals for changes in the legislation in the field of drugs and drug addiction (2024) (in %)

AcceptNot acceptDon’t know
Drug abuse is a criminal act and must be solved with imprisonment53.1%22.3%24.6%
Drug abuse is an offense and must be solved with an administrative sanction (fine)63.2%17.5%19.2%
Drug abuse is a sign of disease and must not be punished21.9%50.8%27.3%
The cannabis production should be allowed for medical purposes49.6%21.3%29.1%
The possession of cannabis in small doses (up to 1 gram) should be allowed33.3%39.8%26.9%
The possession of heroin in small doses (1-2) should be allowed9.4%70.1%20.5%
The law should introduce minimum doses of each type of drug, for the possession of which no penalties are imposed14.9%61.4%23.7%
Source: National representative study on attitudes and use of psychoactive substances among the general population in Bulgaria, carried out October-November 2024 by order and with the methodological support of the National Focal Point on Drugs and Drug Addictions from Sova 5 Agency (sample: 4002 people aged 15-64).

Attitude of university students in Bulgaria to some statements and proposals for changes in the legislation in the field of drugs and drug addiction (2022) (in %)

Accept Not acceptDon’t know
Drug abuse is a criminal act and must be solved with imprisonment55.1%20.0%24.9%
Drug abuse is an offense and must be solved with an administrative sanction (fine)63.9%16.7%19.5%
Drug abuse is a sign of disease and must not be punished21.4%50.8%27.8%
The cannabis production should be allowed for medical purposes46.7%22.9%30.4%
The possession of cannabis in small doses (up to 1 gram) should be allowed29.2%42.9%27.9%
The possession of heroin in small doses (1-2) should be allowed8.9%70.1%21.0%
The law should introduce minimum doses of each type of drug, for the possession of which no penalties are imposed13.2%62.7%24.1%
Source: National representative study on attitudes and use of psychoactive substances among the university students in Bulgaria, carried out November-December 2022 by order and with the methodological support of the National Focal Point on Drugs and Drug Addictions from Sova 5 Agency (sample: 4012 university students – 3245 enrolled bachelor’s degree, 723 enrolled in master’s degree and 44 enrolled in doctorate).

Attitude of school students in Bulgaria to some statements and proposals for changes in the legislation in the field of drugs and drug addiction (2021) (in %)

AcceptNot acceptDon’t know
Drug abuse is a criminal act and must be solved with imprisonment48.2%22.3%29.5%
Drug abuse is an offense and must be solved with an administrative sanction (fine)59.6%17.0%23.5%
Drug abuse is a sign of disease and must not be punished22.1%45.6%32.3%
The cannabis production should be allowed for medical purposes45.9%20.9%33.2%
The possession of cannabis in small doses (up to 1 gram) should be allowed28.4%37.4%34.2%
The possession of heroin in small doses (1-2) should be allowed9.8%62.0%28.3%
The law should introduce minimum doses of each type of drug, for the possession of which no penalties are imposed14.8%54.7%30.5%
Source: National representative study on attitudes and use of psychoactive substances among the school students in Bulgaria, carried out November-December 2021 by order and with the methodological support of the National Focal Point on Drugs and Drug Addictions from Sova 5 Agency (sample: 4109 school students, 8-12 grade).