US: Russia steps up fight against drugs

Russia has been resorting to serious measures in the fight against drug trafficking, but needs to boost its efforts further, said a report from the U.S. Department of State. “The Russian government has stepped up counternarcotics efforts in the past year, particularly in the area of international cooperation to combat drug trafficking in the region in light of the challenges posed by the “northern route” for trafficking of Afghan heroin,” the 2012 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report said. The US report has again pointed out that “Russia is a major destination country for heroin from Afghanistan.” “It [Russia] is also a significant market for opium, hashish, marijuana, synthetics, and other dangerous illegal substances,” the report said. The document said that in 2010 Russian law enforcement agencies seized from illegal circulation 41.25 metric tons of drugs, which was an 8.8 percent decrease against the previous year. The report also said that Russia “treats counternarcotics efforts as a top national priority” and the country boosted its cooperation with the United States and other countries in tackling this problem. “Russia continues to move toward establishing and assuring the required interagency coordination, legal framework and commitment of resources that are necessary to make progress in the fight against drugs,” the report said. Russia, which is the main conduit of drugs originating in Afghanistan, holds the first place worldwide for the number of heroin addicts per capita. Over 90 percent of drug addicts in the country use heroin. According to UN data, there are 2.5 million drug addicts and over 5.1 million drug users in the country. Russian President Dmitry Medvedev recently ordered the preparation of a draft document in April that introduces medical treatment as an alternative to legal measures against drug addicts.