Oryol deputies proposed to punish drug addicts for unwillingness to be treated

If their bill is passed, violators can be imprisoned for up to a year.

MPs from Orel proposed to severely punish drug addicts who refuse to go for treatment or rehabilitation. The Oryol Regional Council of People’s Deputies submitted to the State Duma a bill providing for criminal liability for drug users who, contrary to a court decision, did not begin treatment.

As it became known to MK, in the region where the bill came from, the problem of drug addiction is particularly acute. In the first half of last year alone, 261 people were prosecuted for illegal drug use in the Oryol region. And since November 2013, when the law came into force, which allowed the courts to oblige drug addicts to be treated – 2899 people.

According to the Oryol legislators, if we calculate the average figure for all regions of the Russian Federation, then since 2014 the obligation to undergo anti-drug procedures has been assigned to about half a million of our citizens, and this is the population of an average Russian city. Now, an administrative fine in the amount of 4,000 to 5,000 rubles can be issued for this offense or an arrest for up to 30 days can be imposed. And this can go on for as long as you like.

Oryol legislators also note that court decisions are often rather vague. Most often, court decisions contain the following wording: “To oblige to undergo diagnostics, preventive measures, treatment for drug addiction, and, if necessary, medical or social rehabilitation.” Where and when it needs to be passed, as a rule, is not indicated. This is considered by the deputies, leads to evasion of the necessary procedures.

Therefore, the deputies proposed for malicious violation of the duty to be treated to punish drug addicts with compulsory work for up to two hundred hours, or with corrective labor for up to six months, or with restriction or imprisonment for up to a year.