March 1 – International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking

Annually, on March 1, the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking is observed in our republic.

         Currently, the problem of drug use and trafficking is one of the most pressing issues of modern society.

         As part of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, a meeting was organized for students of Chepukovo Secondary School with S.O. Romanovskaya, Deputy Prosecutor of Miory District. During the meeting, students' attention was drawn to the responsibility for drug trafficking and the dangers of drug use.

         In particular, students were informed that criminal liability for the illegal circulation of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, and their precursors and analogues applies from the age of 16. However, in cases of their theft, as well as illegal circulation for the purpose of sale, criminal liability applies from the age of 14.

         Minors should be aware that any involvement with drugs is unacceptable and constitutes a crime. The desire of a teenager to try drugs or simply to earn money by distributing them can lead to real prison sentences.

         For the illegal production, processing, acquisition, storage, transportation, or mailing of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or their precursors or analogues without the purpose of sale (Part 1 of Article 328 of the Criminal Code), punishment is provided in the form of restriction of liberty for up to five years or imprisonment for a term of two to five years. For the illegal production, processing, acquisition, storage, transportation, or mailing with the purpose of sale, or illegal sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, or their precursors or analogues (Part 2 of Article 328 of the Criminal Code), punishment is provided in the form of imprisonment for a term of three to eight years with or without a fine.

         Increased criminal liability is incurred for actions related to the illegal circulation of narcotic and psychotropic substances committed by a group of persons (Part 3 of Article 328 of the Criminal Code): imprisonment for a term of 6 to 15 years. If such actions are committed by an organized group (Part 4 of Article 328 of the Criminal Code), the penalty is imprisonment for a term of 10 to 20 years.

         It is noted that, according to the notes to Article 328 of the Criminal Code, a person who voluntarily surrenders narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their precursors or analogues, and actively contributes to the detection or suppression of a crime related to the illegal trafficking of these substances or drugs, to the exposure of persons who committed them, or to the uncovering of property obtained by criminal means, shall be exempted from criminal liability for this crime.