By IANS/RIA Novosti,
Moscow: Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin Thursday spoke out against compulsory treatment for drug and alcohol addiction.
“It is necessary to persuade a person, to bring up his inner motivation to overcome this ordeal,” Putin said.
The prime minister stressed the importance of the state’s role in helping drug addicts.
“It is important that a person should not feel abandoned… that his nearest and dearest, parents, school, colleagues and the state do not abandon him,” he said.
President Dmitry Medvedev had earlier suggested treatment instead of jail term for drug addicts.
Yevgeny Bryun, the health ministry’s chief alcohol and drug abuse specialist, also proposed introducing compulsory drug tests for those applying for jobs.
Around 30,000 Russians die from heroin abuse every year.