Drugs: FDCS of Russian Federation Proposes to Impose Criminal Liability for Drug Use

More than 210 million people and over 500 billion dollars is a horrifying statistic from UN cited in the “World Drug Report.” According to the Office on Drugs and Crime of UN, consumption of opiates and cocaine is reducing in the world, but the market of synthetic drugs is growing. In Russia alone, according to official reports, nearly 7.5 million people die from drugs annually (unofficial sources increase this figure to 30,000).

Drug production and distribution schemes are transformed every year. At the same time fighting drug addiction methods lose their effectiveness. In this situation a sad tendency when the state prefers to imprison addicts and confiscate drugs instead of preventing the problem emerges. Initiative proposed by the Federal Drug Control Service of Russian Federation (FDCS) is a good example of such tendency, when the freedom of drug addicts is being limited. Such measures were relevant during the Soviet era, and, in general, Russia’s experience in this field dates back to imperial times. Then a natural question arises: to what extent is Russia ready for such drastic actions today? Will the authors be able and whether they will consider at all taking the realities of modern society’s views when drafting the bill?

In this regard, the World League “Mind Free of Drugs” has initiated a discussion with internationally known experts in the field of psychology, addiction, politics, law and humanitarian sciences along with outstanding artists and sportsmen.

Transnational Anti-Drug web portal “Maya» was chosen as a discussion platform. This platform is one of the personal initiatives of the “Dr Life”, President of the World League ( that is the name given to Professor Nazaraliev by more then 16 000 patients cured by him). As expected, majority of experts who participated in the conference agreed that it is not acceptable to taking such unreasonable action in relation to drug addicts. Foreign experts deserve a particular attention. They have not only expressed their opinion on the proposed by FCDS initiative, but also have been responding to questions from media representatives and all interested people for several hours online.

For example, Professor of Media and Mass Communication from the United States, John Cooper, believes that it is irrational to criminalize marijuana use but to legalize alcohol. Professor noted the importance of the cultural mentality of the country, giving attitude toward alcohol in Russia and Arab countries as an example. He also emphasized on the individual approach to each person. “The message should be explained in clear ways instead of using slogans, so students feel that the message is really for them. In other words, people listen only to other people who listen to them, and teachers need to listen before they lecture. More importantly, teachers need to encourage analytical and critical thinking and feeling, which I consider the best weapon against drug abuse (or any self-destructive behavior). In other words, almost anyone will realize for themselves the dangers and lack of real payoff if they learn better ways to feel and think clearly.” – he said. Also, an American expert stated an interesting fact: “About 15 years ago people laughed at drunk drivers, but education did a lot to change the culture and attitudes, so that now it is considered stupid to do either. Considering all the pressures to drink that have only slightly dropped, this shows that societal attitudes can be changed. I think this is also true of other drugs, and would be much more effective.”

Sarah Grimes, honorary Professor of Modern Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Southern Mississippi, USA, has also given a constructive feedback. In her opinion, the most effective method for Russia would be to attract public itself to the anti-drug propaganda: ” Festivals, performances, thematic art and book exhibitions, anti-drug contests, for example like “Maya” project, should be carried out. “

” The most effective measure would be to adapt Russian legislation to the contemporary international organizations and law enforcement authorities of foreign countries that combat illicit trafficking and psychotropic substances” – summed up Professor Grimes.

Indeed, global opium production in the period from 2007 to 2010 decreased by 45%, primarily due to low yield. But here arises a natural question: how to deal what is imported in finished form? It isn’t a secret that the most urgent issue is heroin. And here we have huge gaps. Experts from the UN counted that the Russian law enforcement authorities seized only 4% of the heroin entering the country. In Iran, for example, this figure reaches 20% in Pakistan – 17%. According to the UN report mentioned earlier, Russia has about 1.5 million heroin addicts. This is the number of addicts from all other European countries combined. Today, Russia is considered to be the largest heroine market in the world with up to 80 tons of Afghan heroin being imported annually.

However, this data was disputed by the Major-General of the Russian FSB and Former head of the Department for Internal and Informational Activities of Russian Federal Drug Control Service, Alexander Mikhailov: ” I would not say that situation is that bad in our country. We have a lot of problems. Russia’s first place in this area is questionable, because the calculation are based on the consumption per 100 000 people of population. In many countries this figure is hidden, but in Russia it being strictly accounted.” Mr. Mikhailov have also noted that reduction of the drug marker should be approached very carefully. In particular, the expert said: “Very often, number of people who die from the overdose of one drug decrease, while for the other drugs it increases. Addicts begin to use what they have not previously tried and they can incorrectly calculate the dose and die.”

In general, conference participants were alerted and in extreme cases were indignant with the proposed by the Federal Drug Control Service bill (which, incidentally, was initiated last year by President Medvedev).

Professor Nazaraliev, president of the World League “Mind Free of Drugs”, and legendary forward of the National Brazilian team, Ronaldo, agreed that drug addiction is a disease. By the way, Professor Nazaraliyev was one of the first people in the former Soviet Union, who raised the question about treating drug addicts as patients.

However, despite the fact that most participants did not support this initiative, there are alternative views. So, for example, the editor of the Kuwait National newspaper Muhammad Buveyda thinks that it necessary to adopt such a law, not only in Russia but in other countries, including his own. A doctor of Traditional Chinese medicine Hua Mei, said: ” In my opinion, if the addict refuses to go through treatment then he

One way or the other, the discussion of this issue revealed a lot of opinions. Some of them carried very constructive suggestions, based on the experiences from countries around the world. Indeed, as noted by one expert: “Every new police, military or legal action against drug traffickers only increases the fee that they charge for drugs”. It is still questionable whether such recommendations given by competent people will have an impact on those making the decision on the proposed bull. After all, all attempts to engage initiators of the bill from FDCS were not successful. Let’s just return to this conversation after 5 years and check how many amendments will be made to the bill if it gets approved this spring. And how many of those amendments could have been avoided if the dialogue between experts, society, and government took place.