1 Dec 2014 15:06

FSKN says drug-caused mortality rate declines amongst young Russians

MOSCOW. Dec 1 (Interfax) - The mortality rate of young drug addicts has decreased in Russia, Federal Drug Control Service Director Viktor Ivanov said.

The fight against drugs "has brought tangible results and the mortality rate of young people aged 15 to 34 dropped by a third in the past decade," he said at the State Duma on Monday.

According to official statistical records of the service, 1.5 out of 8 million Russian addicts are using Afghan heroin. Ivanov said earlier that drugs killed up to 70,000 young Russians annually.