Budapest is experiencing a worsening drug crisis, with overdose deaths attributable to drug consumption reportedly double the national average.

According to the Ministry of Interior, over one-third of drug-related crimes (37.3%) occur within the capital.

This situation is attributed to the city’s urban and sociographic characteristics, combined with the current strategic ecosystem surrounding drug policy.

Key trends observed include:
- An increase in cases related to synthetic drugs such as synthetic cannabinoids, which have become more prevalent over time.

- A continuous rise in drug-related crimes indicates a growing presence of the drug market.

- A moderate yet persistent increase in the demand for rehabilitation services suggests a rising number of individuals seeking help.

The drug strategy adopted by Budapest at the end of 2023 faced sharp criticism upon release.

Although it ostensibly emphasizes prevention, treatment, and harm reduction, several elements in practice appear to maintain and even indirectly encourage drug use rather than reducing it.

A notable issue highlighted is the strategy's pivot towards harm reduction, which essentially accepts the existence of drug use rather than seeking to curb it.

Key components of the strategy include supervised consumption spaces, drug testing labs, and syringe exchange programs, which critics argue do not halt the spread of drug use and may worsen conditions in affected neighborhoods.

A significant shortfall in the strategy is its theoretical emphasis on prevention, while genuine interventions seem to address issues only post-facto.

For instance, planned educational programs in Budapest have incorporated elements that focus on making drug use 'safer,' rather than delivering clear messages that all drugs are inherently dangerous and should be avoided.

The public health risks associated with the current drug situation in Budapest have escalated, particularly due to the increase in street-level intravenous drug use, which raises the risk of infection.

As early as 2014, studies indicated that 70% of intravenous drug users in the VIII district were infected with Hepatitis C, alongside emerging cases of HIV within the drug-using population.

The prevailing drug strategy is criticized for perpetuating rather than reducing drug use and potentially introducing elements that could even incentivize consumption.

The situation poses a long-term risk for the capital, with all districts facing some form of drug-related challenges, though some areas are more significantly affected.

In Hungary, particularly in socioeconomically disadvantaged regions, the proliferation of designer drugs has emerged as a pressing concern over the last decade.

Research indicates that poverty, unemployment, and hopelessness significantly contribute to the spread of substance use, disproportionately affecting youth.

New psychoactive substances, such as 'herbal' and 'bioweed,' provide cheap alternatives to traditional drugs but are often far more dangerous due to their unpredictable composition.

Regions such as Nógrád, Heves, Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén, Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg, Baranya, and Jász-Nagykun-Szolnok, along with certain outskirts of Budapest, have been identified as significantly impacted by these drug issues.

In response, both the government and local communities have implemented various measures to address the crisis, including heightened police presence and prevention programs.

The 'Cohesion City Program' has introduced specific drug prevention sub-programs aimed at identifying and addressing local drug situations.

Local drug policy forums have been established to map out the drug situation and develop preventative measures.

Among institutions, schools have increasingly focused on prevention, with targeted programs designed to educate youth about the risks of drug use.

Efforts to improve access to treatment and rehabilitation services have also been prioritized within the strategy.

Social workers assist users and their families in accessing addiction services, while local consultation options are provided for the most severely affected communities.

In some areas, increased police presence has been ordered to curb drug distribution and enhance public safety.

The government contends that the decline in poverty over recent years may contribute to a long-term mitigation of drug issues in the affected areas.

Community-based approaches are gaining recognition, with more local players, including civil organizations and experts, participating actively in prevention efforts.

This collective aim is to address not only the symptoms of drug use but also the underlying causes, ensuring a supportive environment for the future of the younger generation.