NCJ Number
172326
Journal
Low Intensity Conflict and Law Enforcement Volume: 5 Issue: 2 Dated: (Autumn 1996) Pages: 117-128
Date Published
1996
Length
12 pages
Annotation
After analyzing the key trends that are contributing to the growing drug problem in Russia, this article suggests a model for an effective international strategy that could stabilize the illegal proliferation of narcotics (IPN) to a level acceptable for normal life in Russian society and in the surrounding states.
Abstract
A review of a few general IPN trends in Russia addresses the historical background of IPN in Russia, the ongoing marginalization of Russian society, an increasing liberalization of anti-drug laws, the increase in ethnic narco-crime, corruption in the IPN sphere, and narcotics smuggling. The need to protect Russia's interests from internal and external IPN threats has been recognized by senior Russian officials. The President's Plan for State Policy to Monitor Narcotics in the Russian Federation was passed on June 22, 1993; the Presidential Commission to Counter Drug Abuse and Illegal Drug Trade was created June 5, 1994; and the Federal Program of Integrated Measures to Counter Narcotics Abuse and Their Illegal Trade for the Years 1995-1997 was approved on June 3, 1995. Russia's MVD, State Customs Committee, and Federal Security Service have special services and departments devoted to fighting IPN. The Russian Federation Foreign Intelligence Service, the Federal Border Service, and the Russian Defense Ministry are attentive to IPN. Intergovernmental and interagency accords, memoranda, and protocols on the joint struggle against IPN have been concluded with more than 50 countries. So as to further improve the transnational attack on IPN, this article outlines seven elements of a model for an international strategy to counter IPN. The proposed cooperation would involve a more stringent system of supra-national scientific, executive, legislative, judicial, and prison initiatives. 5 figures, 1 table, and 5 notes