Legislative Initiatives Regarding the Tightening of the Responsibility for Non-Fulfillment of the Obligation to Undergo Treatment for Drug Addiction: Problems and Future Visions

Abstract

Various psychoactive substances that are in illegal circulation cause significant damage to the health of the population. Discussions among scientists about measures to reduce the level of drug use have not been stopped for many decades. The main goal of all researches is to search for effective anti-narcotic drugs and the implementation into practice of new technologies to counter drug crime. Following the scientists, a legislator tries to choose the most optimal designs that allow an objective and comprehensive assessment of the actions of violators, taking into account the need to save repressive measures. In the first edition, the current Criminal Code of the Russian Federation allowed the use of compulsory medical measures to persons with an established diagnosis of "drug addiction". Later, the measures of compulsory treatment were recognized as inhumane and abolished. They were replaced by the institution of imposing by the court on a drug addict the obligation to undergo treatment for drug addiction, medical and (or) social rehabilitation. As an interim measure, a legislator in 2013 put into effect Article 6.9.1 of the Code of Administrative Offences of the Russian Federation, which provides liability for evading a drug addict from the duty imposed by the court. Currently, a legislator offers to tighten the responsibility of a drug addict for evading treatment and rehabilitation by introducing an administrative prejudice. The conducted research has shown that it is possible to achieve the desired result by other means.