Larina E.V. Regional aspect of drug addiction in the Russian Federation (estimated for 2024). Society. Environment. Development. 2026. No. 2 (79). Pp. 82-89. DOI: 10.53115 ...

Текст статьи на сайте журнала URL: https://terrahumana.ru/arhiv/26_02/26_02_10.pdf (дата обращения 30.07.2026)

Abstract

According to statistics on illicit drug trafficking indicate the problem of drug addiction among the Russian popu- lation remains a pressing issue. At the same time, the country’s vast territory aggregating dozens of regions with unique characteristics results in significant variations in the severity of this problem. The purpose of this study is to analyze regional characteristics that influence the spread of drug addiction among the local population and to monitor the dynamics of the drug situation at the regional level. The study is based on the selection, systematization and analysis of a set of indicators on drug addiction in the Russian population in 2024. Despite some changes in regions with the highest and lowest drug use rates compared to 2019 data the following risk factors for the spread of drug addiction remained influential in 2024: proximity to a long international border; active migration flows from drug-prone regions; the presence of major transportation hubs within the region; climatic conditions favorable for the growth of drug-containing plants coupled with the low income of the local population; a developed network; lack of accessible organized leisure; low quality of medical care. Key factors hindering the spread of drug addiction include: low population density; lack of permanent ground transportation links with other regions; strict control over all channels for the supply of illicit substances; and the significant role of religious beliefs prohibiting the use of psychoactive substances. A comparative analysis of the results of a similar study on regional drug addiction patterns in the Russian Federation in 2019 revealed a certain trend in the drug situation, including improvements in some drug addiction indicators in several regions with leading drug use rates; the persistence of key risk factors and pro- tective factors against drug addiction among regional factors; and the emergence of new ones, such as the current foreign policy environment and the further development of IT-technologies. According to statistics on illicit drug trafficking indicate the problem of drug addiction among the Russian popu-lation remains a pressing issue. At the same time, the country’s vast territory aggregating dozens of regions withunique characteristics results in significant variations in the severity of this problem. The purpose of this study isto analyze regional characteristics that influence the spread of drug addiction among the local population and tomonitor the dynamics of the drug situation at the regional level. The study is based on the selection, systematizationand analysis of a set of indicators on drug addiction in the Russian population in 2024. Despite some changes inregions with the highest and lowest drug use rates compared to 2019 data the following risk factors for the spread ofdrug addiction remained influential in 2024: proximity to a long international border; active migration flows fromdrug-prone regions; the presence of major transportation hubs within the region; climatic conditions favorable forthe growth of drug-containing plants coupled with the low income of the local population; a developed network;lack of accessible organized leisure; low quality of medical care. Key factors hindering the spread of drug addictioninclude: low population density; lack of permanent ground transportation links with other regions; strict controlover all channels for the supply of illicit substances; and the significant role of religious beliefs prohibiting the use ofpsychoactive substances. A comparative analysis of the results of a similar study on regional drug addiction patternsin the Russian Federation in 2019 revealed a certain trend in the drug situation, including improvements in somedrug addiction indicators in several regions with leading drug use rates; the persistence of key risk factors and pro-tective factors against drug addiction among regional factors; and the emergence of new ones, such as the currentforeign policy environment and the further development of IT-technologies.