Drug abuse: Tendencies and ways to overcome it
p> Direct impact prophylactic measures are expected to influence persons
taking drugs, including drug addicts. This impact brings or may bring
positive results when medical treatment is combined with the social
rehabilitation. Postpenitentiary measures should influence persons who have served
prison terms for drug-related offenses by continuous treatment of drug
addiction, securing the results of previous treatment, and neutralizing a
possible unfavorable influence of their immediate surroundings, finding
jobs and also forestalling the repetition of drug-related offenses. International, National and Regional Measures: In terms of their level, the measures to prevent drug abuse can be
divided into international, national and regional. International measures are the ones, which are carried out on an
international scale. They include a number of earlier listed special
measures to prevent drug abuse. Apart from that, they also include measures
carried out by the international agencies and organizations, such as 1)
creation of programs to prevent the advancement of narcotics; 2) assistance
to countries in implementation of the conventions provisions; 3) providing
assistance in bringing national legislation in line with the conventions;
4) training officers specializing in actions against narcotics for law-
enforcement and other agencies of different countries; 5) supporting the
scientific development of laboratories in the members countries; 6)
providing financial, technical and other kinds of assistance to raise the
effectiveness of national efforts against drug abuse and ensure access to
the international system of information about narcotics. It should be noted
at this point that the Russian Federation adheres to the international
measures because it has joined the world legal effort aiming to combat
narcotics. National measures to prevent drug abuse are the ones, which are carried
out on the entire territory of the Russian Federation. Regional measures
cover the territory of a region, city or district. Any of the mentioned
general or special measures against narcotics can be used on a national or
regional scale. It should be stressed at this point, that the last few years have seen
a sharp decline in the effort of law-enforcement bodies, government
agencies and other organizations to prevent offenses, including drug abuse
and drug-related crimes. This state of affairs cannot help but arouse deep
concern. In this context the approval of the national program for combating
drug addiction in the Russian Federation is a necessary step towards
improving the work of preventing narcotics and drug-related crimes, along
with other offenses. Chapter V. Organized Measures to Counteract Narcotics Par. 1. General Provisions for Counteracting Narcotics The multiplicity of drug abuse necessitates a joint combative effort
involving a large number of participants who have a broad spectrum of
powers and who will act simultaneously in different directions, performing
a variety of functions. The joining of anti-narcotism forces can be
achieved through a flexible system of measures against this deplorable
social phenomenon. Organizing a System of Measures Against Narcotics: The multifaceted nature of drug abuse necessitates forming a single
united front with many participants acting simultaneously in different
directions, performing various functions with a wide spectrum of measures.
This can be achieved by the mobile and flexible system of measures and
means. In terms of overcoming drug abuse, organization is a system of
measures to combat drug abuse and means of their implementation with regard
to the division of the spheres of activity, responsibilities and
hierarchical order. Based on the social and economic reality, actions against narcotics
should comply with the national and international norms of law and with the
scientifically based principles of management. They should take account of
the new developments in medicine, pharmaceutics, psychology, psychiatry,
pedagogy, sociology, instrument building, and have substantial legislative,
material, informational, and research backing. They must have clear
parameters of time and space and, most importantly, professionally trained
personnel. At the same time, the anti-narcotics strategy must reflect the irksome
particularities and complicated nature of this phenomenon as it combines
two interrelated sides - that of illness and that of crime. This defines
our approach to drug abuse as a medical, as well as a social problem and it
determines what steps and means must be chosen. Drug Abuse as an Object of Government Action: Narcotics-related issues, including organizational ones, cannot be
isolated either from the social, economic, political, historical,
legislative, medical, and biological problems or from other social
pathologies that call for counteraction. The definition of drug abuse as a
phenomenon of multiple factors is not therefore accidental. Therefore, efficient counteraction requires much organization and
precisely targeted moves. Such a stance justifies the view of drug abuse as an object for state
action. This approach makes a broad analysis of the wide-ranging problems and
ways to solve them possible. Besides, drug abuse helps to define who the
subject (subjects) of influence are, its (their) condition and functioning,
the influence its (their) structure projects, as well as choice of goals
and function. These properties also define clear goals and a reasonable
choice of means to attain them as well as to ensure an overall realization. Observing the fundamental properties of drug abuse, researchers call
upon us to be ready for new and unusual capability of this phenomenon to
adapt to any conditions and manifest itself in new forms in most
undesirable circumstances. On this occasion A. Gabiani writes: "Hardly had
they banished the opium poppy, when the niche was quickly filled by common
poppy. When the entire hemp-growing regions were cut off from black
markets, the pharmaceutics flooded the market. The channels for natural
drugs were blocked, then the far more dangerous chemicals began spreading.» The specificity of drug abuse, and its forms and degree of
proliferation, stress the need for a regular re-evaluation of its rapidly
changing state in order to promote the methods of counteraction, discard
the outlived methods, bring all techniques of exerting influence in line
with the legislation and day-to-day reality. Experience proves that an
objective assessment of any process demands for corrections to be made
which take due notice of reality. A system of measures to combat narcotics presupposes that its elements
are mutually compatible and that the system itself can be a part of a
higher order -(law enforcement and crime-prevention systems, and social
administrative systems, as a whole). This means that not one subject or
measure in the counter-narcotics system may contradict the values accepted
by the society. The authority of the subjects must be sufficiently
reflected in their rights and duties. It is essential that all elements of the anti-narcotics system have
enough potential possibilities to ensure its effective operation. The
utmost goal of the organization is, in this case, to transform the
potential possibilities into the real functions and make them serve as a
system of counteraction measures. For example, the professional duty of
medical institutions and doctors who provide treatment for drug addicts is
manifested as a certain function performed by the elements of the system of
counteraction to drug abuse. A solution of the problems of drug abuse requires, on the one hand,
considerable efforts by national, international and other organizations and
their numerous divisions that act in different directions and focus on
different target groups of people, and on the other hand, it requires
coordination and accord in their activities. The interaction of different elements of the system may be indirect,
through the understanding of common objectives. This, however, requires a
link in management. Such a link "is based on a certain program of action
and is, in itself, a method of implementing this program. There is always a
general structure of the process behind a developing operational system.» General Provisions of Organizing Action Against Drug Abuse: The above mentioned makes it possible to outline the following
principles of an efficiently organized effort against drug abuse in the
Russian Federation. As the manifestations of drug abuse continue to grow and diversify, a
real counteraction is possible only in the framework of a well-tested and
scientifically based government policy which defines the forms, tasks and
contents of the government's contribution to this effort. The understanding
of drug abuse phenomenon should be reflected in the Concept of the
government policy towards narcotics. Its principal goal is to secure
legislative and organizational realization of anti-narcotics efforts, bring
harmony and coordination into the activities of different ministries and
departments, draw up a list of priorities and concentrate the available
resources for their synchronized deployment. No other document but such a
Concept can lay the solid foundation for the National Program of
Counteraction against Narcotics. The Program necessarily requires an
approval at the highest level by the President, the government and the
parliament to make all of its provisions mandatory for everyone. The development of the National Program stands out as one of the most
important tasks among the anti-narcotics measures. It is essential to
invite experts in different fields of research, as well as the
practitioners from the concerned departments to participate in it. The list
of participants, the scope of their duties and the financing are to be
endorsed by the government. The authors of the Program have personal
responsibility for producing a profound analysis of the situation with
drugs, and for the efficiency of the recommended methods for combating drug
abuse. They are also responsible for providing research or organizational
background during the implementation of the steps they have recommended.
The time frame and other specifics of the program must be included in the
resolutions of the government and the parliament. 2. The main goal of the government policy in regard to narcotic
substances should be: a) to prevent their use for other than medical
purposes; b) curb the demand for them; c) and curtail their illegal
manufacturing and turnover. This goal is attainable in practical terms only
through a set of coordinated steps in politics, economy, legislation and
public health. They should be directed at perfecting the laws regulating
narcotics. Methods should be developed of an early identification of the
persons who use drugs for non-medical reasons, of their treatment and
rehabilitation. Policies should be developed counteracting the unlawful
production and sale of drugs at the national and international setting. 3. The mandatory measures of organizational, legislative and material
support of the government policy in the field of drugs fall into two
categories. The first category implies the establishment of an inter-departmental
anti-narcotics system of measures, which will incorporate the following
elements. Information support of the program. The departments involved should set
up a data bank to store information about the state of affairs in
narcotics, the proliferation of drugs, the accurate techniques of drug
identification, and other data - national and international - which will
help make decisions and implement measures against narcotics. Research and technical support. Conducting fundamental research of and
quick response analysis on drugs, the development of advanced techniques
and technologies of halting narcotics should be implemented. Administrative support. The President, the parliament or the government
should found a special committee entrusted with the overall monitoring of
the drug abuse in the republic. This agency also should map out a uniform
national strategy and tactics, direct and coordinate all the elements of
the struggle against narcotics, and set up subordinate regional committees
and commissions. As need be, it should be able to amend the state policy in
regard to drugs. This agency surely must include psychiatrists specializing
in the treatment of addicts, lawyers, psychologists, sociologists,
teachers, pharmacists, journalists and other specialists and experts, as
well as representatives from the ministries of public health, social
welfare, education, agriculture, foreign economic ties, industry and trade,
transport, telecommunications, foreign affairs, the interior, justice,
finance, national security (as well as of the foreign intelligence
service), air, maritime, and inland water transport, of the State Bank,
Intourist, customs service, and the Prosecutor's Office. Material support. Financing should be provided for the National Program
to Counteract Drug Abuse in general and for its specific aspects. The
financing structure may include specialized funds. Medical support. A mechanism of medical interaction on the issues of
drugs must involve all the agencies and departments concerned and their
separate branches. Support from the system of education. It is necessary to train an
appropriate number of anti-drug specialists with due regard to the
experience gained by their foreign counterparts. Accountability. Regulated accountability and control of all the
agencies and departments participating in the campaign against narcotics
should be established. The participants will be furnished with special sets
of documents and evaluation criteria. They will bear personal
responsibility for the final results. The second category of mandatory measures defines the direction of the
effort against narcotics, sets out the target goals and names the
participants. At a minimum, the main direction should be of a simultaneous
offensive on the production, trade and consumption of drugs. In the field of legislative regulation, a set of laws on combating
narcotics should encompass a) perfection of the effective legal acts on
drugs, b) the legally defined rules of identification, check-up and
voluntary/compulsory treatment of drug addicts, c) the rules of drug
identification, d) legislative support of international cooperation
including the obligations that arise from the international treaties and
agreements, e) elaboration of legal norms to fight drug-related money-
laundering, f) and bringing national legislation in line with the
international laws. In the field of medicine: the identification, medical treatment and
social rehabilitation of drug addicts presupposes improving the methods of
early diagnosis and treatment of addiction, the development of prophylactic
measures, a system of registering and monitoring drug abusers, the
gathering and analysis of information and information exchange between
relevant departments. In the sphere of combating drug-related crimes, it is essential to
suppress the illegal cultivation of plants containing narcotic substances,
improve control over the transportation of narcotics across borders, and
curb their clandestine manufacture. It is also necessary to control the
manufacturing, storage and trade in the chemicals and equipment, which may
be used in the illegal production of drugs. The stamping-out of such crimes
necessitates stringent regulatory mechanisms in the production,
transportation and use of narcotic substances for medical and research
purposes, as required by the international conventions, advancement of
investigative methods, improvement in the customs service, administrative
and other forms of curtailing crimes linked to drugs and limiting the
illegal demand for them. The circle of involved participants in actions
against narcotics, especially in the field of prophylactics and halting the
spread of drug abuse should be enlarged through unconventional forms and
methods of work, such as invigorating the efforts of religious and
charitable organizations, private companies, psychological aid centers,
army units, and so on. Understandably, the suggested list of efforts is not exhaustive.
Nonetheless, it puts the emphasis on the main directions and can be viewed
as a version of a multifaceted approach toward organizing a program of
action combating drug abuse.
Страницы: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13
|