OREANDA-NEWS. April 29, 2011. Dmitry Medvedev approved a list of instructions following the State Council Presidium meeting held on April 18 in Irkutsk.

The Government of the Russian Federation and the Presidential Executive Office were instructed to present suggestions on establishing liability for systematic nonmedical use of narcotics and psychotropic substances, as well as the possibility of introducing a primary or alternative punishment for individuals who commit drug-related misdemeanours that would entail mandatory medical rehabilitation procedures to recover from drug addiction.

The Government was also instructed to make amendments to Russian legislation on regulations covering drug prevention measures, corresponding testing and monitoring for students at secondary and vocational schools, and toughening liability for violations in this area, including violations related to distribution of narcotics and psychotropic substances at cultural and entertainment events.

The instructions also concern counteracting distribution and promotion of drugs on the Internet; providing additional government support for anti-drug projects run through electronic media and online; developing and implementing new Russian pharmaceuticals to treat drug addicts; and financing modern equipment for expert forensic subdivisions of Russia’s Federal Drug Control Service.

The Government, together with executive authorities in the regions, was instructed to ensure the adoption of state-run programmes aimed at developing healthcare, education, public social support and countering the illicit trade in narcotics and psychotropic substances; to work with non-governmental rehabilitation centres to organise a national system for medical and social rehabilitation of individuals undergoing treatment for drug addiction, including minors, and their reintegration into society.

The Federal Drug Control Service, Foreign Intelligence Service, Federal Security Service, and Russia’s Ministry of the Interior are instructed to develop a plan to counter international drug trafficking.

The President recommended that executive authorities in Russia’s regions develop regional programmes and monitor the situation with distribution and use of narcotics and psychotropic substances, including among youth.