Alcohol and Drug Policy Changes in Russia – 2019 Prof. Evgeniya Koshkina Russian Federation Helsinki, 21 March 2019

Alcohol Policy The Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation dated December 10, 2018 N 1505 was signed “On limiting the conditions and places of retail sale of alcohol-containing non-food products” prohibiting the sale of alcohol-containing non-food products at a price below the cost of alcohol. It is assumed that this measure will reduce the number of non-food alcohol poisoning

Alcohol Policy The Federal Law of December 27, 2018 N 560-FL “On Amendments to Articles 2 and 26 of the Federal Law “On State Regulation of Production and Turning of Ethyl Alcohol, Alcohol and Alcohol-Containing Products and on Limiting the Consumption (Drinking) of Alcohol Products”” was adopted, establishing a ban on the production and (or) turnover of powdered alcohol-containing products.

Alcohol Policy Since August 20, 2018, in the Russian Federation uniform minimum prices for vodka with various alcohol content (from 37% to 40%) have come into force. The minimum retail price of vodka with alcohol content 37-39% is leveled with the price of vodka with 40% alcohol content and is fixed at 205 rubles per 0.5 liter. The Expert Council under the Government of the Russian Federation proposed to establish a limit on the number of stores selling alcohol and tobacco – no more than 50 units per 100 thousand people.

Alcohol Policy The Ministry of Health of the Russian Federation has drafted a bill to raise the minimum age for the purchase of alcohol to 21 years. The draft is being coordinated with the federal executive authorities.

Drug Policy On August 24, 2018, the State Anti-Drug Committee presented the “Russian Federation Drug Report – 2017”. The analysis has shown that in recent years, new trends have emerged in the Russian Federation, leading to changes in the drug market. As a result, the heroin segment has been decreased, opiates are actively being supplanted by synthetic drugs, because of their relative cheapness, availability and convenience for illicit fabrication, considering the free circulation of certain precursors in the country.

Drug Policy On November 20, 2018, a working group on improvement of anti-drug legislation was established in the State Duma. It is composed of deputies of the State Duma, representatives of the Prosecutor General’s Office, the Federal Security Service, the Interior Ministry, the Investigative Committee. The parliamentarians, together with the relevant governmental bodies, will analyze law enforcement practice and consider the issues of improvements in anti-drug legislation.

Drug Policy The Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of December 19, 2018 No. 1598 “On Amendments to Certain Acts of the Government of the Russian Federation in Connection with the Improvement of Control over the Circulation of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances” was signed, in accordance with which the “Controlled Substance Schedules” were amended. 9 substances were added to Schedule I, 8 substances were added to Schedule II.

Drug Policy The Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation of February 22, 2019 No. 182 was signed. “On Improving the Control of the Circulation of the Precursors of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances”, which prohibits the circulation of a number of precursors used to manufacture narcotic drugs from Schedule I, including fentanyl.

Drug Policy The State Duma is discussing a draft law allowing the use of narcotic drugs and psychotropic drugs to relieve pain in incurable patients, not only in hospital environment, but also at home. Necessary painkillers are supposed to be provided free of charge. A bill prohibiting media to mention the development and manufacture of new potentially dangerous psychoactive substances was passed in the first reading.