Extreme Heroin Use in Russia
The citizens of Russia and the former Soviet Union have struggled for centuries, whether through extreme poverty, war, or dictatorship. However, in more recent years, specifically the last decade, they have been fighting a new battle—a battle against drugs. Each year the number of number of Russians using drugs, especially heroin, increases dramatically. Nearly 78,000 in 2007. That is nearly ten times the number of users a decade ago. This extreme rise is due in large part to the nearly invisible border between Russia and Asia, allowing nearly unregulated drug trafficking.
One of largest imported drugs is heroin from Afghanistan, where farmers have grown enough opium poppy crops to last the world two years. The Bush administration began eradicating the crops but many who opposed the action believed that by taking away their crops, and livelihood, the farmers would be pushed into the hands of the insurgents. The Obama administration has gone a different route; attempting to shutdown opium production and cultivate new crops, such as wheat. Russia, however, does not feel that is enough – only complete destruction of the crops preferably by air will satisfy. While the amount produced in Afghanistan has decreased, they are still producing more than the world would ever need.
To top it off, Russia has recently come under an epidemic of HIV/AIDS due to the excessive intravenous drug use. Despite the desperate attempts of Russian drug enforcement official, Viktor P. Ivanov, negotiations are moving slowly. In the meantime, Russian healthcare and addiction treatment leaves much do be desired for those suffering from addiction. While there are addiction treatment center, admission is severely restricted. Even those who are admitted do receive the proper therapies and dual diagnosis treatments that many faced with addiction need. Unfortunately many are left to fend for themselves, and with billions of rubles being lost each year and tens of thousands of deaths, Russia can’t wait much longer.
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Tags: 2007, addiction treatment center, Afghanistan, dual diagnosis treatments, HIV/AIDS, Russia