NCJ Number
222931
Date Published
April 2008
Length
24 pages
Annotation
This report presents statistical information on illicit drug trends in the Russian Federation produced by the Paris Pact National Strategic Analyst of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Regional Office for Russia and Belarus.
Abstract
Highlights of the report findings include: (1) the Russian Federation experienced significant changes in overall drug trends in 2006, such as the weight of heroin seizures increased by almost 2 times and the weight of cocaine seizures increased by almost 6 times; (2) Russia now has a 1 percent HIV prevalence rate among its young people and the fastest growing HIV/AIDS epidemic; (3) the trafficking in opium and heroin from Afghanistan through the Central Asian states remains the main cause for concern among Russian officials; (4) the number of women and young people prosecuted for drug crimes continues to increase, 15.9 percent and 3.5 percent respectively in 2006; and (5) in 2206, the Russian law enforcement agencies arrested more than 3,000 foreign nationals (mostly from Tajikistan, Ukraine, and Azerbaijan) suspected of drug trafficking crimes in Russia. In terms of drug seizures and arrests, the Russian Federation experienced significant changes in overall drug trends in 2006. Countering drug trafficking is a common interest and requires regional cooperation to address a major global problem. The relationship between Russia and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) countries remains essential for combating drug trafficking. Russia continues to maintain an active position vis-à-vis international efforts to counter drug trafficking and takes a leading role in the Paris Pact process. Paris Pact is an international partnership to combat traffic in and abuse of Afghan opiates. Charts, graphs, and maps