One sentence, one 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 increasing the fine for drug consumption to 500 euros. This measure aims to tighten drug policy – but critics call it symbolic politics 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 consumption of illegal drugs – will be increased from the previous 200 euros to 500 euros. The president’s reason is very clear: “You have to hit the wallet – being drunk is not a party.”
This penalty regulation was introduced in 2020 under the then Minister of the Interior Gérald Darmanin to reduce the burden on the police and judiciary. It allows drug users to be fined on the spot without lengthy procedures. According to government data, about 350,000 such fines have been 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 newly announced regulation, the standard amount increases by 150% – a strong move that, according to Mr. Macron, will help “keep consumers responsible.”
Marseille as a hotspot for drug-related crime
Macron’s statement did not take place randomly in Marseille. France’s second-largest city has long been the center of discussions about drug crime, gang conflicts, and police violence. In 2023 alone, according to official figures, 47 people died due to disputes between drug 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 understood as part of an ongoing policy tightening process. Macron also announced that the collection of fines will be carried out more effectively. Currently, the fine payment rate is less than 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 declaration. He told the media that he has doubts about the preventive 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.
Addiction experts and representatives of the prevention movement also point out that harsher penalties without accompanying social and medical measures are often ineffective. French sociologist Laurent Mucchielli stated in a 2023 interview with Le Monde about the “staging of severity in repression,” which contributes very little to solving the problem.
Moreover, the relationship between consumption and trafficking remains very complex. While the use of prohibited substances such as cannabis, cocaine, and synthetic drugs in France, according to Eurobarometer 2024, is higher than the European average, the repression strategy has little impact on supply. France remains one of the most important countries in drug routes between Africa, South America, and Europe.
Comparison with Europe
France’s drug policy contrasts sharply with developments in other European countries. For example, in Portugal, the consumption of small amounts has been considered an administrative offense since 2001, not a criminal one — with a focus on treatment rather than punishment. Germany has also introduced the partial legalization of cannabis under strict conditions starting from 2025. Switzerland is increasingly focusing on prevention and controlled distribution in pilot projects.
In this context, French politics are seen as an exception moving towards continued repression. Critics accuse the government of relying on common law and order signals, while structural causes — poverty, lack of prospects, insufficient social policy — remain unaddressed.
Macron’s strategy clearly aims to tighten public discourse on consumer responsibility. But whether higher fines actually curb consumption remains questionable – especially when payments often fail even at the previous level. In this respect, the measure seems primarily intended as a political signal: The state wants to demonstrate toughness, especially as confidence in its power has declined.
Author: P. Tiko