Russia

Death Penalty 100/100

1 Does the country retain the death penalty for drug offences? No

source: Harm Reduction International (2021), THE DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG OFFENCES: GLOBAL OVERVIEW, Available online at: https://www.hri.global/death-penalty-2020

Russia is not listed as one of the states that retains the death penalty for drug offences in Harm Reduction International's (2021) The Death Penalty for Drug Offences: Global Overview 2020.

2 What is the extent of death penalty application for drug offences in the country? N/A

source: Harm Reduction International (2021), THE DEATH PENALTY FOR DRUG OFFENCES: GLOBAL OVERVIEW, Available online at: https://www.hri.global/death-penalty-2020

Not Applicable

Extra-Judicial Killing 75/100

3 To what extent is the practice of extra-judicial killing prevalent in the course of military and police anti-drug activity? To a small extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Militarised Policing 25/100

4 To what extent are military or special security forces are involved in drug operations? To a large extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Life Sentencing 72/100

5 Is there provision in legislation or sentencing frameworks for the imposition of life imprisonment for drug offences? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

As per the March 2012 amendment, Articles 228.1 and 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code state that trafficking large quantities of drugs warrants a life imprisonment.

6 Where there is provision in legislation or sentencing frameworks for the imposition of life imprisonment for drug offences, what is the nature of such sentences? Symbolic Life Without Parole

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Source: Dirk van Zyl Smit and Catherine Appleton, Life Imprisonment: A Global Human Rights ANot Applicablelysis (2019), Appendix A.

7 How frequently are formal life sentences imposed for drug use and personal possession offences? Never

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

8 How frequently are formal life sentences imposed for drug supply offences (production, dealing, or trafficking)?  Very Rarely

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Non-consensual confinement 50/100

9 To what extent is there a practice of non-consensual confinement in compulsory drug treatment centres? To a moderate extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Human Rights Violations 16/100

1 How often are suspects in drug cases subject to violence or torture by the police? Very Frequently

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

2 To what extent does arbitrary arrest and detention for drug offences exist? To a very large extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

3 What is the country's score on the World Bank Fair Trial Indicator? Substantially Restricted

source: World Bank Data Repository: https://tcdata360.worldbank.org/indicators/hd45eb4d6?country=BRA&indicator=41895&viz=line_chart&years=1975,2019

Some elements of fair trials exist but the courts are not fully independent of the government and/or the justice system is characterized by widespread corruption, intimidation and inefficiency.

Equity of Impact of Criminal Justice Response 16/100

4 To what extent does enforcement of drug policy disproportionately impact certain ethnic groups?  To a moderate extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

5 To what extent does enforcement of drug policy disproportionately impact women?  To a very large extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

6 To what extent does enforcement of drug policy disproportionately impact low-income groups? To a very large extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Mandatory minumum sentencing and pre-trial detention 37/100

7 Do the state’s drug laws or legal frameworks include mandatory minimum sentences for any drug offences? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Criminal Code, Article 228.1: the large-scale supply of illegal drugs is a crime and punishable by a mandatory minimum of 5 years in prison.

8 For states whose drug laws or legal frameworks include mandatory minimum sentences for any drug offences, does this relate to first offences or multiple offences? Mandatory Minimum Sentences Apply to the First Offence

source: GDPI Coding Team.

No provision is made for leniency in the first instance. Therefore, all MMS are taken to apply for first offences.

9 Do the state’s laws include mandatory pre-trial detention for drug offences? No

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Criminal Procedure Code, Article 10: pending a court decision, no individual can be detained for more than 48 hours. Therefore, mandatory pre-trial detention (i.e. mandatory detention until taken to trial) is highly unlikely.

Alternatives to arrest/prosecution/conviction/punishment 70/100

10 Is there any provision in state criminal justice policy for alternatives to arrest, prosecution, conviction and/or punishment for drug-related offences? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Enrollment in treatment services allows indivuals to avoid prosecution. This applies to both voluntary enrollment, or the admission of drug addicts to treatment centres by the court.

11 Do alternatives exist at the point of initial contact with law enforcement (i.e., the police or other law enforcement officers) – before arrest and/or prosecution? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Article 20.20: Individuals may receive on-the-spot fines for the consumption of drugs in public spaces in lieu of detention or court proceedings.

12 Do alternatives exist after the point of arrest, but before conviction or formal criminal court proceedings? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Individuals can opt for treatment in lieu of prosection with the Russian judicial system.

13 Where individuals are convicted with a final sentence (courts), are there alternatives to incarceration for drug offences? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Courts can remand individuals to treatment centres in lieu of incarceraton.

14 Do alternatives to arrest, prosecution, conviction and/or punishment for drug-related offences include treatment or care elements?  Yes

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This was ascertained through the GDPI survey of survey of experts in state drug policy.

15 Where alternatives to arrest, prosecution, conviction and/or punishment for drug-related offences include treatment or care elements, is relapse / non-attendance / treatment “failure” associated with subsequent imprisonment or punishment? Yes

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This was ascertained through the GDPI survey of survey of experts in state drug policy.

16 Where alternatives to arrest, prosecution, conviction and/or punishment for drug-related offences include treatment or care elements, are a range of treatment options and modalities made available to people based on their clinically assessed need or preferences? No

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This was ascertained through the GDPI survey of survey of experts in state drug policy.

Extent of imprisonment of individuals involved in non-violent drug-related offences 0

17 To what extent does the pursuit of state drug policy result in the imprisonment of non-violent offenders? To a very large extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (adjusted for topic confidence levels) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Decriminalisation Policy 63/100

18 Is there a provision in national legislation or in official national policy documents for the decriminalisation of drug use and the possession of drugs for personal use?  Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Russia’s model of decriminalisation is codified in the country’s laws, and was introduced in 2004, with amendments to the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (1996).

19 What % of the population live in a state/territory with decriminalisation provisions? 100%

source: GDPI Coding Team.

This law applies nationwide.

20 For states or sub-national units with decriminalisation, what substances are decriminalised? All Drugs

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Not Applicable

21 Where there are administrative (non-criminal) sanctions for drug use and possession for personal use, what is the severity of these sanctions? Very Severe

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

22 To what extent has decriminalisation in this state been effective in diverting people who use drugs away from the criminal justice system? To a small extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Extent to which State Policy Prioritises Harm Reduction for People Who Use Drugs 79/100

1 Is there an explicit supportive reference to harm reduction in national policy documents? No

source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2020

Source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2041

2 Are people who use drugs included in the HIV national strategic plan? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Injection drug users are explicitly mentioned within the national HIV plan.

3 In states where people who use drugs are included in the HIV national strategic plan, are people who use drugs specified as key and vulnerable populations to be targeted for services? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Injection drug users are identified as a vulnerable population within the national HIV plan.

4 Are people who use drugs included in the Hepatitis-C national strategic plan? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

The Russian national HIV prevention plan is far broader than its name sugggests. It contains provisions for the prevention and mitigation of both Hep C and TB. Within this national plan, drug users are mentioned as being at vulnerable to all of these afflictions.

5 In states where people who use drugs are included in the Hepatitis-C national strategic plan, are people who use drugs specified as key and vulnerable populations to be targeted for services? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

The Russian national HIV prevention plan is far broader than its name sugggests. It contains provisions for the prevention and mitigation of both Hep C and TB. Within this national plan, drug users are mentioned as being at vulnerable to all of these afflictions.

6 Are people who use drugs included in the Tuberculosis national strategic plan? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

The Russian national HIV prevention plan is far broader than its name sugggests. It contains provisions for the prevention and mitigation of both Hep C and TB. Within this national plan, drug users are mentioned as being at vulnerable to all of these afflictions.

7 In states where people who use drugs are included in the Tuberculosis national strategic plan, are people who use drugs specified as key and vulnerable populations to be targeted for services? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

The Russian national HIV prevention plan is far broader than its name sugggests. It contains provisions for the prevention and mitigation of both Hep C and TB. Within this national plan, drug users are mentioned as being at vulnerable to all of these afflictions.

Harm Reduction Funding 0

8 How Adequate Are Levels of Harm Reduction Funding Relative to Estimated Need? Very low

source: Harm Reduction International GDPI team

Estimated by Harm Reduction International at under 10% of harm reduction resource needs met (see project methodology for details)

9 Which of the following best describes the sustainability of harm reduction funding in the state over the next 3-5 years? Severe reductions anticipated

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Harm Reduction Intervention Availability and Coverage 12/100

10 Is at least one needle and syringe programme operational in the state? Yes

source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2020

Source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2041

11 Which of the following best describes the availability of needle and syringe programmes for people who inject drugs? Very limited availability

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

12 Is at least one opioid agonist therapy programme operational in the state? No

source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2020

Source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2041

13 Which of the following best describes the availability of opioid agonist therapy programmes for people who use opioid drugs? Unavailable

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

14 Is peer distribution of naloxone available in this state? No

source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2020

Source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2041

15 Which of the following best describes the availability of naloxone for people who use opioid drugs? Very Limited Availability

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

16 Is at least one in-prison needle and syringe programme operational in the state? No

source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2020

Source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2041

17 Which of the following best describes the availability of needle and syringe programmes to people in prison? Unavailable

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

18 Is at least one in-prison opioid agonist therapy programme operational in the state? No

source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2020

Source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2041

19 Which of the following best describes the availability of opioid agonist therapy to people in prison? Unavailable

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

20 Is at least one drug consumption room operational in ths state? No

source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2020

Source: Harm Reduction International (2021), The Global State of Harm Reduction 2020 - 7th Edition. Available at: https://www.hri.global/global-state-of-harm-reduction-2041

21 Which of the following best describes the availability of drug checking services to people who use drugs? Unavailable

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Equity of Access to Harm Reduction Services 58/100

22 To what extent are there disparities in access to harm reduction services due to individuals’ ethnicity? To a small extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

23 To what extent are there disparities in access to harm reduction services for women, including during pregnancy? To a moderate extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

24 To what extent are there disparities in access to harm reduction services due to individuals’ sexual orientation and/or gender identity?  To a moderate extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Policy prioritisation of availability and accessibility of controlled medicines for the relief of pain and suffering 34/100

1 Is there an explicit provision in national legislation (or in official national policy documents and regulatory instruments) that establishes the government’s obligation to make adequate provision to ensure the availability of controlled medicines for the relief of pain and suffering? Yes

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Federal Law 323-FZ makes clear the state's obligation to provide controlled medicines for pain relief in the case of palliative care.

2 Is there an approved national medicines policy plan that recognises the importance of the availability and accessibility of controlled medicines for the relief of pain and suffering? No

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Though Federal Law 323-FZ was updated in 2014 (under the Medvedev government once again) to make clearer its scope and focus, no explicit Russian National Medicines plan exists to regulate and enshrine the provision of controlled medicines. Indeed, even in the presence of Federal Law 323-FZ, the provision of controlled medicines within Russia appears poorly administered, adding further weight to the likely absence of a centralised plan (see: Lancet report).

3 To what extent does the policy-making process relating to controlled medicines meaningfully include stakeholders such as medical boards, health professionals (including pharmacists), patients, and representatives of patients?  Not at all

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

De facto availability and accessibility of controlled medicines for the relief of pain and suffering 12/100

4 What range of narcotic drug consumption does the state fall into? Low Access

source: INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD (2021) 2020 Narcotic Drugs Report. Available at: https://www.incb.org/incb/en/publications/annual-reports/annual-report-2020.html

Source: INTERNATIONAL NARCOTICS CONTROL BOARD (2021) 2020 Narcotic Drugs Report. Available at: https://www.incb.org/incb/en/publications/annual-reports/annual-report-2020.html

5 To what extent are there geographic disparities in access to controlled drugs for the treatment of pain? To a large extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Equity of Access to controlled medicines for the relief of pain and suffering 49/100

6 To what extent are there disparities in access to controlled drugs for the treatment of pain due to individuals’ gender? To a moderate extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

7 To what extent are there disparities in access to controlled drugs for the treatment of pain due to individuals’ socio-economic status? To a large extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

8 To what extent are there disparities in access to controlled drugs for the treatment of pain due to individuals’ ethnicity? To a small extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

9 To what extent are there disparities in access to opioid analgesics for the treatment of pain for people who use drugs? To a moderate extent

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

This score reflects the median result (weighted by topic confidence level) of the GDPI survey of experts in state drug policy.

Filter Question for 'Development' Dimension N/A

1 Does the country include ‘alternative development’ or ‘sustainable development’ programmes to provide alternatives to the cultivation of crops used for illegal drug production? No

source: GDPI Coding Team.

No reference to sustainable/alternative development approaches to crop cultivation in legislation. This was confirmed by the GDPI expert survey.

Alternative Development Policy Design N/A

2 Are Alternative Development policies and programmes embedded within a broader development programme? N/A

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Not Applicable

3 To what extent are local communities, participants, and (where applicable) indigenous and minority groups meaningfully included in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of alternative development policies and programmes? N/A

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

Not Applicable

4 To what extent is the protection of the environment prioritised in alternative development policy and programmes?   N/A

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

Not Applicable

5 To what extent does alternative development operate within a framework of militarized/security sector operations as part of security policy? N/A

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

Not Applicable

Management of Crop Eradication N/A

6 Does alternative development policy include provisions for forced crop eradication? N/A

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Not Applicable

7 Where provision is made for forced crop eradication, does policy also make provision for aerial spraying in forced crop eradication? N/A

source: GDPI Coding Team.

Not Applicable

8 To what extent are alternative development programmes sequenced to ensure that targeted households have adopted viable and sustainable livelihoods in advance of any crop eradication efforts? N/A

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

Not Applicable

Efficacy of alternative development policy for key beneficiaries N/A

9 To what extent do alternative development policies and programmes facilitate the empowerment of women? N/A

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

Not Applicable

10 To what extent do alternative development policies and programmes benefit young people? N/A

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

Not Applicable

11 To what extent do alternative development policies and programmes implement a successful ‘pro-poor’ strategy? N/A

source: Survey of Experts in States' Drug Policy

Not Applicable