In a recent New York Times article, Clifford Levy reported some alarming news about alcohol abuse in Russia. He states, "drinking has increased sharply since the Soviet Union’s fall in 1991, though heavily intoxicated people have been somewhat less visible on the streets in recent years, in part because the police do a better job of whisking them away." Russia’s president, Dmitri A. Medvedev, has been voicing that sentiment a lot lately, declaring that the government must do something about the country’s status as a world leader in alcohol consumption.
But drinking — vodka in particular — is another thing entirely. It is a mainstay of Russian life, both a beloved social lubricant and a ready means for escaping everyday hardship. Mr. Medvedev is seeking steeper penalties on the sale of alcohol to minors, as well as a crackdown on beer, which has grown more popular among young people. Beer sales at kiosks would be banned, as would large beer containers. The government may seek more control over the market for vodka, still the most common alcoholic beverage.
At iGlobalPathways, we are working to train narcologists, psychologists, and human resource departments to assess alcoholism, develop treatment programs, and provide family support. We are using internet based videocasting, telehealth media to promote prevention, intervention and treatment of alcoholism.
