France Launches Hard-Hitting Anti-Drug Campaign to Target Consumers

The Interior Ministry's new initiative aims to hold drug users accountable for fueling narcotrafficking and its violent consequences.

Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau unveiled a 30-second video campaign emphasizing the societal costs of drug consumption, with the tagline: 'Each day, people pay the price for the drugs you buy.'
The campaign, set to run from February 9 to March 2, will air on TV, social media, streaming platforms, and public transport, targeting individuals aged 15 to 35.
Retailleau asserts that drug use, including recreational cannabis and cocaine, contributes to narcotrafficking violence, which resulted in 110 deaths and 341 injuries in France in 2024.
The campaign is financed through assets seized from drug traffickers and is part of broader government efforts to combat narcotrafficking, including increased drug seizures and stricter legal measures.
Critics, including health professionals, argue that the campaign's focus on guilt and fear may stigmatize users and hinder access to addiction treatment.