Addiction to psychostimulants, synthetic drugs grows in Russia amid decline in opium addicts - interior minister
MOSCOW. Sept 24 (Interfax) - Addiction to psychostimulants has been growing in Russia amid a decline in opium addicts, Interior Minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev said at a meeting of the State Anti-Drug Committee.
"The number of people addicted to new types of drugs and psychostimulants increased last year. Meanwhile, the number of opium addicts reduced," Kolokoltsev said.
There was an increase in the number of synthetic drug addicts, as well, the minister said, adding that "about a hundred illegal labs [which mostly produced synthetic drugs] were shut down this year."
Kolokoltsev called the existent system of drug abuse records imperfect and said it failed to provide a precise account of drug addicts. "I suggest that we consider the issue in detail at the inter-agency working group of the State Anti-Drug Committee," he said.