Viktor Orban Declares War on Spread of Drugs

In his annual state of the nation address on Saturday, the Hungarian prime minister announced a zero-tolerance policy against drug dealers. Regardless of political leanings, there is broad consensus that the spread of drugs must be curbed and a comprehensive drug strategy must be developed. However, there is disagreement over the methods and approaches.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivering his state of the nation address (Photo: Attila Polyak)

Magyar Nemzet contacted the Rights Reporter Foundation (Jogriporter Alapitvany), an organization advocating for drug liberalization, to comment. On his blog called Drogriporter, Peter Sarosi wrote: 

We have the strictest drug laws in Europe.

In Sarosi's view, Hungary has lacked a proper drug strategy for years, while the police struggle with funding shortages. Even if the government suddenly injects money into enforcement, he argued, the war on drugs has failed everywhere in the world. Sarosi envisions a national drug strategy that includes a national drug coordination body working with civil sector organizations, a policy research institute providing professional support, and a tender system for financing these efforts. 

Magyar Nemzet also reached out to the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union (TASZ), but they did not wish to comment on what was said by PM Orban in his annual address. "Drug trafficking cannot be interpreted as an exercise of civil liberties. Therefore, the Hungarian Civil Liberties Union does not wish to take a position on the government’s criminal policy plans, especially given the current level of detail available," TASZ’s press department responded to our inquiry.  

Cover photo: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban delivering his state of the nation address (Photo: Attila Polyak)