OREANDA-NEWS. September 08, 2009. In his speech President Medvedev stressed the need for a comprehensive government policy on drug abuse prevention, as well as up-to-date and modern methods to implement this policy. It is important to improve legislation in this field, particularly to increase the responsibility incumbent on those distributing drugs, participating in and assisting the drug business, those engaged in corruption related to illegal drug trafficking, and laundering funds from the sale of drugs.

Mr Medvedev noted that it is time to shift the emphasis from heavy-handed and prohibitory measures to treatment and rehabilitation, and creating new centres for these purposes. It is also necessary for the government to monitor the current situation in the country and evaluate the efficacy of measures taken.

President Medvedev paid particular attention to preventive work in schools and among young people.

Dmitry Medvedev emphasised drug trafficking's transnational nature, and stressed that hard drugs are not produced in Russia but rather imported from abroad. In this regard, the President said that it is necessary to equip the national border with special devices, set up modern infrastructure, and cooperate with international and foreign agencies on this issue.