President Emmanuel Macron announced that the fixed penalty fine for drug use in France will increase from €200 to €500.
During a visit to Marseille today, he told readers of the regional newspaper La Provence that the amende forfaitaire délictuelle (AFD) for the use of illicit drugs “will rise to €500”.
“We need to hit them in the wallet because taking drugs is not recreational,” he said, adding: “It is not festive to take drugs.”
Macron emphasised that drug consumers, often from different social backgrounds to those affected by narcotics violence, fuel the trafficking networks, devastating cities and neighbourhoods.
“I am fed up with mourning young people on one side while others consider it festive to buy drugs,” he stated.
The announcement forms part of the government’s intensified campaign against narcotrafficking, which Macron has compared to the fight against terrorism.
Marseille, plagued by drug-related killings — including 15 homicides linked to trafficking in 2025 — remains a focal point.
Currently, the AFD stands at €200, reducible to €150 if paid within 15 days or increased to €450 if unpaid after 45 days.
The new €500 level applies to all narcotics classified as illicit substances.
Macron also revealed plans to appoint “commissioners of the Republic” to improve fine recovery rates, which he described as unsatisfactory, and to strengthen international co-operation to seize assets and arrest network leaders operating from abroad.
He put part of the responsibility with drug users.
“None of this would happen if there weren’t people who buy cocaine, hash,” he said.
“I’m fed up with having, on the one hand, young people who are mourned and, on the other, young people who consider it festive to consume, generally not from the same social backgrounds.
“Anyone who uses drugs feeds the drug trade that is ruining our cities and neighbourhoods. If we don’t say that clearly, we’re targeting the wrong target.”
Reactions were mixed.
Community educator Mohamed Benmeddour called the fine increase “a plaster on a wooden leg”, arguing it fails to address root causes.
The President paid respects at the grave of Mehdi Kessaci, the 20-year-old brother of anti-drug activist Amine Kessaci, murdered in November 2025 in an apparent intimidation attempt.
Macron also inaugurated a new police station in the northern district of Marseille.
People close to the Marseille Mayor, Benoît Payan, said there were not enough police officers on the ground, especially at night.
They said they were happy with Paris taking the problem seriously but added they wanted to see it followed up.
Macron also addressed the issue of the internet and and social networks, saying these were “the heart of the battle”.
“We are not just individuals evolving alone … The framework of the Republic can be that of understanding and crossing cultures, which is done in a framework that is that of universalism,” he said.
“From the beginning of next year, I will announce very concrete decisions for the youngest. We are going to implement these decisions in France to protect our children.
“We will launch the European battle to better protect our democracies from interference but also to better protect against the misuse of social networks for drug trafficking.”
