Russian government approves initiative on forced treatment of drug users

The Russian government commission on legislation has approved a bill sponsored by the federal drug control service on the forced treatment of drug users upon a court order, the government press office said last Wednesday 13th February. This initiative is aimed at tighter control over the treatment and social rehabilitation of drug users.

"The bill will give the courts the power to order drug users and individuals who abuse psychotropic medication to undergo a course of treatment and a medical and social rehabilitation program, or preventative treatment," the government's press release reads. The Administrative Offences Code and the Criminal Code will be amended accordingly. The bill will be considered at one of the government's next meetings.

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