Today, the State Duma in the final, third reading adopted amendments to the Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes on liability for inducement to consume narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues. The authors of the amendments were deputies of all four factions of the State Duma in accordance with the Strategy of the state Anti-Drug Policy of the Russian Federation.
Alfiya Kogogina, Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Economic Policy, Industry, Innovative Development and Entrepreneurship, member of the UNITED RUSSIA faction, commented on the novel.: "The amendments we have adopted have been developed in accordance with the instructions of Russian President Vladimir Putin in order to counter illegal trafficking of drugs and psychotropic substances via the Internet. Online, drug use is promoted anonymously and with impunity, information about the possibilities of acquiring them is posted, and myths about the safety and harmlessness of certain drugs are imposed. This must be stopped, because it is young people and children who are influenced by such information, ruining their health and future."
The Law establishes criminal liability for inducing the consumption of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues using information and telecommunication networks (including the Internet). Such an act will be punishable by imprisonment for a term of five to ten years, with or without restriction of liberty for up to two years.
If inducement to drug use has negligently resulted in the death of two or more victims, increased liability is imposed in the form of imprisonment from 12 to 15 years, with a possible ban on the profession for up to 20 years and with or without restriction of liberty for up to two years.
This rule will be applied, among other things, if inducement to drug use is carried out using the Internet; by a group of persons by prior agreement or an organized group; against two or more persons; against a minor; with the use of violence or with the threat of such. The investigation of this corpus delicti is proposed to be attributed to the competence of investigators of the internal affairs bodies of the Russian Federation.