By: Gašper Blažič
The recently published exclusive interview with Dušan Smodej, the central figure and defendant in the high-profile Fotopub affair, has once again revived old debates about how deeply Slovenian politics is entangled with drug use. Smodej specifically mentioned Luka Mesec as one of the users of cocaine. However, it is worth recalling that, during Borut Pahor’s government, we at Demokracija were already speculating whether the then prime minister, whose behaviour was at times noticeably euphoric, was truly “spotless” when it came to drugs. Later, then Interior Minister Katarina Kresal also came under scrutiny. Roughly a year after the notorious bullmastiff affair, in which drugs were likewise mentioned, she became the subject of rumours that she had been hospitalised due to a cocaine overdose. The truth was never established, as the matter remained at the level of speculation and she declined to provide a hair sample for testing.
The idea of requiring drug testing for MPs and political office holders has been around for quite some time, but no one has yet put it into practice. Most recently, the parliamentary group of the Resni.ca party introduced a bill containing such a proposal, although it later withdrew it to revise and supplement it, which means it will likely return to parliamentary procedure in the near future. It is, of course, clear that such testing should be carried out without prior notice throughout the entire public sector, in much the same way that athletes are subjected to anti-doping tests. I still remember, for example, how external inspectors would conduct surprise checks of dental hygiene during my primary-school years, using the legendary red tablets that left visible stains on plaque. Drug testing should likewise be unannounced and conducted under strict supervision when samples are collected, to eliminate any possibility of manipulation.
Cocaine occupies a special place in this discussion because it was once associated primarily with the upper classes and remains widespread among managers, musicians, entrepreneurs, and even some doctors. Its effect comes from blocking the reuptake of dopamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin in the brain, producing an immediate sensation of euphoria, increased energy, and heightened alertness. Some individuals use cocaine to boost endurance and productivity. However, the risks extend beyond personal health and may also affect the institutions these individuals lead. Cocaine addiction can influence decision-making, increase vulnerability to blackmail and corruption, and contribute to psychological instability, particularly during withdrawal periods. Such conduct may cause not only moral but also significant financial damage with long-term consequences. Imagine a commander-in-chief of the armed forces making decisions about military action while under the influence of cocaine. The consequences could be tragic.
Although the risks associated with drug use can affect politicians of all parties and political orientations, there are significant differences in attitudes toward drugs. Many people will recall that the Freedom Movement and Levica, following a consultative referendum in 2024, introduced legislation aimed at legalising cannabis for personal use. The proposal was not adopted because a large part of the professional community opposed it, particularly due to concerns about limitations on unannounced testing, which opponents argued could negatively affect workplace and traffic safety. The proposal also faced criticism from the European Commission. Regardless of the outcome, the broader value systems of Svoboda and Levica are more favourable toward a liberal approach to drug use. This is also reflected in their opposition to legal provisions allowing surprise drug testing, which they characterise as an intrusion into personal privacy. By the same logic, unannounced police testing of drivers for alcohol or drugs could also be challenged on constitutional grounds.
It is therefore clear that cocaine, like other intoxicating substances, has acquired a political “colour” in Slovenian politics. It would be fair for Luka Mesec to undergo a supervised drug test, specifically one based on a hair sample.