A phrase, a signal: “Being drunk is not something to celebrate.” With this statement, French President Emmanuel Macron reinforced on December 16, 2025, in Marseille, the announcement of the increase in the fine for drug use to 500 euros. This measure aims to tighten drug policy – but critics call it a symbolic policy without substance.
A measure that sends a signal
In an exchange with readers of the regional newspaper La Provence, Macron announced that the so-called amende forfaitaire délictuelle (AFD) – the fixed fine for possession or use of illegal drugs – will increase from the previous 200 euros to 500 euros. The president’s reason is very clear: “The wallet must be hit – being drunk is not a party.”
This penalty regulation was introduced in 2020 by then Interior Minister Gérald Darmanin to reduce the burden on police and judiciary. It allows drug users to be fined on the spot without lengthy procedures. According to government data, about 350,000 of these fines were issued from 2020 to 2023. So far, the standard fine is 200 euros, with a discount for quick payment (€150) and an increase for late payment (€450).
With the new regulation announced, the standard amount increases by 150% – a decisive move that, according to Mr. Macron, will help “keep consumers responsible.”
Marseille as a hotspot for drug-related crime
Macron’s statement did not happen by chance in Marseille. The second largest city in France has long been the center of discussions about drug-related crime, gang conflicts, and police violence. According to official data, 47 people died in 2023 alone due to disputes between drug dealer gangs – many of them under 25 years old.
Since 2021, Macron has declared the war on drug trafficking a national priority – equivalent to the war on terrorism. In this context, the recent measure is intended as part of an ongoing process of toughening policies. Macron also announced that the collection of fines will be carried out more effectively. Currently, the fine payment rate is below 50% – many fines in practice still do not have an effective impact.
Criticism from local authorities and experts
The mayor of Marseille, Benoît Payan (PS), expressed skepticism about this statement. He told the media he has doubts about the deterrent effect: “Do you believe that someone willing to accept a 200 euro fine will be deterred by 500 euros?” This measure will not solve the real problem – which is organized drug trafficking.
Experts in addiction and representatives of the prevention movement also emphasize that harsher penalties without accompanying social and medical measures are often ineffective. The French sociologist Laurent Mucchielli stated in a 2023 interview with Le Monde regarding the “staging of severity in repression,” that it contributes very little to solving the problem.
Furthermore, the relationship between consumption and trafficking remains very complex. Although the use of prohibited substances such as cannabis, cocaine, and synthetic drugs in France, according to Eurobarometer 2024, is above the European average, the repressive strategy has little impact on supply. France remains one of the most important countries on drug routes between Africa, South America, and Europe.
Comparison with Europe
French drug policy stands in sharp contrast to developments in other European countries. For example, in Portugal, since 2001 the consumption of small quantities is considered an administrative offense, not a criminal one — focusing on treatment rather than punishment. Germany has also introduced the partial legalization of cannabis under strict conditions starting in 2025. Switzerland is increasingly focusing on prevention and controlled distribution in pilot projects.
In this context, French politics is seen as an exception that tends towards continuous repression. Critics accuse the government of relying on common law and order signals, while structural causes — poverty, lack of prospects, insufficient social policy — remain unresolved.
Macron’s strategy clearly aims to narrow the public discourse on consumer responsibility. But whether higher fines actually reduce consumption remains debatable – especially when payments are often not even made at the previous level. In this regard, the measure seems mainly intended as a political signal: the state wants to demonstrate firmness, especially since trust in its power has diminished.
Author: P. Tiko