Drug usage to be considered crime in Russia

rapsinews.com, March 19 2012

The Federal Drug Control Service has drafted a law allowing for the introduction of criminal responsibility for drug usage.

The Russian Legal Information Agency (RAPSI) has received a copy of the draft law.

Pursuant to the Code on Administrative Violations, drug usage is punishable with a 4,000-5,000 ruble ($137-$170) fine, or administrative arrest up to 15 days.

The draft law allows for the introduction of not only new sanctions to the Criminal Code, but also new definitions and provisions in a number of other laws and the Criminal Procedural Code.

A new article on drug usage will supposedly envisage a two-year imprisonment for such crimes.

The draft's authors stress that the sanction should only be used if an individuals drug usage is established within a year after he has been brought to administrative responsibility.

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