Rustam Minnikhanov: “To struggle against drug addiction we should consolidate efforts of authorities and society”

Only joint efforts of all government institutions, local self-government bodies, and public organisations enable struggling against promotion of drug addiction efficiently. Such a statement was made by President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov at a joint session of Anti-drug commission and territorial department of Federal Drug Control Service.

The session was held at the RT Government House with participation of Deputy PM Asgat Safarov, Head of the RT Department of Federal Drug Control Service, Lieutenant General of police Fayaz Shabaev and heads of law enforcement bodies.

Opening the session, President of Tatarstan noted achieved results in social and economic sphere. Thus, Tatarstan holds the 5th place among Russian regions by the volume of industrial output, the 4th place- by capital investments, the 3d place – by housing construction.

“Economic potential of our republic enables solving important social problems. However, the main criterion of our work is quality of life of our population. To a large extent, it depends on work of law enforcement bodies. Prevention and struggle against drug addiction is the essential part of our state policy,” Rustam Minnikhanov said.

Rustam Minnikhanov stressed that drug taking by a part of population cause damage to national gene pool, worsens demographic situation, and affects criminogenic situation in general. Besides, drug addiction as a social problem brings economic loss.

According to the RT President, 383 mln rubles have been allocated for realization of measures on anti-drug addressed program for 2011-2015.

Head of the Department Fayaz Shabaev made key report on changes in the situation connected with drug addiction. He said that 1,7 tons of drugs had been retrieved in Tatarstan within the last two years. Distribution of new synthetic drugs brought from China and Europe influences the situation.

Head of the Department emphasized that all law enforcement bodies achieved positive results in the sphere of counteraction to drug trafficking.

The Department of Federal Drug Control Service made considerable contribution to general results. It was among three leading territorial subdivisions and took first place in the Volga Federal District.

Fayaz Shabaev focused on drug abuse prevention noting project “Independent children” and “Club life without drugs”. He informed that efficient anti-drug activity in Tatarstan had been noted on the federal level.

On the threshold of Universiade there is a necessity of drug testing of volunteers and employees of Universiade objects.

The Minister of youth affairs, sport and tourism Rafis Burganov and Deputy Director General of Universiade Executive office Larisa Sulima made reports on anti-drug activity.

President of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov summarized the session. He called for intensifying preventive work and strengthening the role of municipalities.

Speaking about drug testing of students, Rustam Minnikhanov stressed that all students had to undergo such testing and heads of educational institutions were responsible for it.