The perception of treatment in the romanian society as an alternative to imprisonment - a qualitative approach

摘要

Throughout the transition period Romania embarked upon in 1989, drug trafficking and abuse, as well as related crimes, have increased year after year, currently becoming a genuine threat at the societal level. This threat requires appropriate, modern approaches, consistent with those from countries with a rich experience in the field, but these measures must be adapted to our specific national and cultural context. The enforcement of these measures demands, however, the modernization of the legislative institutions, the diversification of services and, last but not least, a change in perspectives and mentalities. Nonetheless, for such changes to occur, it is necessary to know how both the population and the specialists who are responsible for enforcing the law and alternative measures to detention perceive these measures and their effectiveness. It is very difficult but not impossible to change mentalities and I believe that by acquiring adequate information on the problems, implications and results of such measures, a huge leap forward can be made. This is precisely what the research I have undertaken aims at, and I hope that the dissemination of its results will sensitize both the civil society and, especially, the magistrates as regards the provision of alternatives to imprisonment for drug offenders.