Rights groups oppose mandatory medical treatment for drug addicts

Several human rights groups have opposed the proposal by the Russian Federal Drug Control Service to make Soviet-era medical treatment mandatory for drug addicts.

"There is little sense in forcing drug addicts to undergo medical treatment," Moscow Helsinki Group chairperson Lyudmila Alexeyeva told Interfax news agency today.

She was commenting on the recent statement by the Deputy Chief of the Federal Drug Control Service Col General Vladimir Zubrin that the system of forced medical treatment for drug addicts would be introduced this year.

"No one can be cured either from drug or alcohol addiction by force. What must be done is build a chain of affordable medical centres for those who are determined to stop using drugs on their own," She said.

She stressed that the official initiative could revive the Soviet-era system of forced medical treatment.

"Do you remember the phrase: 'We meant to attain positive change, but the whole thing has worked out the usual way.' I could cite many examples when laws that work effectively in other countries, only encourage bribery and lawlessness in our bureaucratic environment," she averred.

She, however, admitted that drug addiction in youth groups "is indeed a very serious problem and a threat to the future of the country." Other human rights activist also shared Alexeyeva's concerns about the initiative to throw back the Soviet-era system of mandatory medical treatment for drug addicts.

The word 'forced' is quite alarming, fuelling doubts that whether this act is humane, the head of Moscow Bureau of Human Rights Watch, Allison Gill said.

It is difficult to understand why the idea of forcing medical treatment on drug addicts has emerged today. Drug treatment centres lack places for those who have opted for treatment on their own,” she said.

The head of the Civil Assistance Human Rights Committee Svetlana Gannushkina said the forced treatment for drug addicts was an issue that must be handled with care.

"I fear all 'forced' methods. Our country's experience is enormous in this respect. I am convinced that in instances when a person cannot decide on his own, guardians must take decision not the authorities," Gannushkina told the agency.

According to the Federal Drug Control Service, there are about 6 million drug users in Russia. About 100,000 Russians, most of them young, die of drug-addiction each year.

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