The majority of Russians (78 percent) approve of the idea of introducing criminal punishment for taking drugs. This is evidenced by data survey, national center for the study of public opinion (VTSIOM) published by RIA Novosti.
Thus among Muscovites and Petersburgers the proposal to approve 60 percent.
Against the free sale of drugs act 93 percent of Russians, while 6 percent of survey participants allow the legalization of soft drugs. It is noted that the most loyal to illegal substances, persons 18-34 years, residents of capital cities and those in whose environment there are addicts.
About half of Russians (45 percent) believe drug addiction is a disease that should be treated. In 2014 believed the 31 percent of respondents. In this case, for three years decreased the proportion of respondents who consider addiction to social diseases (from 37 to 28 percent), and those who believe addicts are dangerous people who need to be isolated from society (from 28 percent to 21 percent).
The poll was conducted June 20-21. It was attended by 1.2 thousand people. The statistical error does not exceed 3.5%.
Earlier in June, the head of the Main Department of legal statistics and information technology of the Prosecutor General Oleg Insarov said that the amount of seized narcotic substances in Russia for the year decreased more than twice — with almost 52 tonnes in 2015 up to 24 tons in 2016. The low rate of such crimes, he explained the high degree of conspiracy of drug traffickers.