The Council of Europe, in partnership with the National Administration of Penitentiaries (NAP) of the Republic of Moldova, has initiated the development of a rehabilitation programme for juvenile offenders with drug dependency. The first working group meeting took place on 27–28 April 2026 in Chisinau, with representatives from two penitentiary institutions and the NAP.

Drug use among young people in the Republic of Moldova presents significant challenges, particularly in custodial settings. In response, the programme is designed to address the specific needs of this group through a practical, experience-based, and participant-centred approach. It aims to support the development of emotional and social skills, encourage personal responsibility, and provide meaningful tools for behavioural change, while also strengthening the system’s capacity to deliver tailored interventions and support long-term reintegration.

The development of the programme will be followed by a pilot and validation phases over the next 18 months. The activity was organised under the auspices of the Project “Further strengthening the prison and probation systems, the provision of health care, and the treatment of patients in closed institutions in the Republic of Moldova”, implemented through the Council of Europe Action Plan for the Republic of Moldova (2025-2028).