Ministers, officials of their ministries and senior state officials will now be subject to controls in France to detect possible drug use.
As French media reports, the country's prime minister Sebastian Lekorni with his circular ordered ministers to organise "sudden and mandatory drug use controls, in the form of a saliva test".
In addition to the members of the cabinet, the measure concerns commissioners, secretaries and representatives of state administrations, ambassadors, general consuls, lawmakers, directors of active police services working in the central administration and university rectors.
Sébastien Lecornu a ordonné à ses ministres de procéder à des dépitages inopinés de leurs collaborateurs pour déceler une éventuele consommation de stupéfiants au sein de l'Etat. pic.twitter. Com/U6aROqnYEe— BFM (@BFMTV) June 17, 2026
The members of the government are responsible for drawing up ‘the list of categories of work likely to be subject to regular control’ and should submit an action plan to the Head of Government ‘before 26 June’, and then submit a monthly report on its implementation, the circular shall be clarified.
"The use of drugs by state officials, including occasional use in a private environment, is, in addition to the risk to themselves and the impact on the service, a personal vulnerability that can be exploited by lobby groups, criminal networks or regular intervention," explains the French Prime Minister in this document.
The State cannot pursue a policy against drug trafficking and its consequences on society without imposing strict standards on itself," he also notes. Press, clarifying that the Prime Minister's office has already complied with these requirements.
The Prime Minister's circular states lastly that if a drug use test is positive, ministers will be able to assess the consequences, "including disciplinary measures", and refer users "to treatment facilities".
It is also clarified that these checks are "accompanied by clear guarantees: the right to disrepute, protection of personal data and prior consultation with staff representatives".