CRIME RELATED PHENOMENA - DRUG ADDICTION AND PROSTITUTION (EXPERIENCE OF THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA)

Abstract

Throughout history, societies have adopted diverse approaches to addressing phenomena such as drug addiction and prostitution, often conceptualized as interconnected “satellites” of criminality. Although the use of psychoactive substances and the practice of prostitution date back to antiquity, contemporary socio-economic transformations have significantly reshaped their forms and impact. In the Republic of Moldova, as well as in other states of the former Soviet Union, the transition to a market economy, coupled with rapid developments in information and communication technologies, has generated new dynamics, patterns of vulnerability, and modalities of engagement in both drug use and sex work. The drug addiction phenomenon has evolved into a critical public health challenge, marked by increasing morbidity, heightened mortality rates, and substantial burdens on healthcare systems. Simultaneously, its ramifications extend far beyond the medical sphere, constituting a complex social-legal issue that fuels criminal behaviour, undermines social cohesion, and perpetuates cycles of marginalization and alienation. Prostitution, likewise, continues to generate profound ethical, social, and legal debates regarding individual autonomy, exploitation, and public order. Together, these phenomena threaten not only the well-being and security of individuals directly involved but also the broader societal interest, as their persistence hinders social development, reduces collective resilience, and compromises efforts to consolidate democratic governance and the rule of law. Understanding the interconnected nature of drug addiction and prostitution is therefore essential for developing holistic, evidence-based policies aimed at prevention, harm reduction, and social reintegration. This necessitates interdisciplinary research and coordinated institutional action capable of addressing the structural, psychological, and economic factors driving these practices