The Russian heroin epidemic, widely reported on in the media, and the resulting proliferation of HIV through shared needles, have been called a threat to national security by Russian officials. Yet the Russian government has been severely criticized for its handling of the problem. Though statistics vary, it’s clear that between 1.5 and 2 million Russians are heroin addicts, with a percentage of population that’s about eight times higher than in EU countries. The Federal Antinarcotics Service, a Russian agency, reports that Russia now uses more heroin than any other country in the world, and the incidence of HIV is growing rather than abating as it is in most other countries. It’s not that the government is ignoring the problem, but critics say its drug policies may be exacerbating the national dilemma.
Human Rights Watch recently released a report on the Russian drug epidemic stating that Russian policies for treating drug users “deliberately ignore the best available medical evidence and recommendations.” For instance, there are no nationally sponsored needle-exchange programs to address the spread of HIV. Methadone is banned in Russia so there is no methadone substitution program to help wean users off of heroin. Independent agencies geared to help addicts are typically shut down by the government. Addicts seeking help are put on a state “narcological register,” available to the public and used by police who often find cause for arrest. Some say that medical care for drug users is inferior and that addiction is not viewed as a disease by most Russians, as it is in many Western countries, but instead is considered a moral travesty. Critics say these policies and attitudes discourage addicts from seeking help.
The world watches as Russia addresses its catastrophic drug epidemic. The saddest fact of all: Most of Russia’s heroin addicts are aged 18 to 39 – a generation lost to heroin.
If you, or someone you care about, needs help for a drug or alcohol addiction,
contact us at 1-888-457-3518 US, 0-808-120-3633 UK or 1-800-990-523 AU.
We’re here to help you take that first important step.
In the Southern African nation of Botswana, illicit drug use is on the rise. A country with a strong political and governmental system, Botswana has seen growth and prosperity much higher than most of the continent. Along with economic prosperity comes expendable income to use towards drugs in some social circles. Illicit drug use is not uncommon in 
Flakka, a dangerous new designer drug 
Not that long ago, the United States was noted as the world’s Number One consumer of crack cocaine, but crack in Brazil has become an even bigger problem, with a whopping one-million Brazilian users. The spread of cocaine use is being referred to as an “epidemic” by Brazil’s government officials and by the 
The term dopesick, also referred to as dopesickness, is commonly used to describe the painful physical and mental symptoms that accompany 
