Thread: Drugs in Russia

What's the illegal drug situation like in major russian cities? Is there a lot of weed and cocaine like everywhere else in Europe or are the police really harsh on it like in the US?

Police is really harsh on drugs in Russia, american cops are just angels comparing to that. I would highly recommend to avoid using and having drugs on oneself in Russia. And not in Russia only, you better avoid using drugs at all.

My buddy who went away for a year for having under a gram of marajuana in his posession might disagree about american cops being angels. They aren't that harsh everywhere in the US though. I live in the South.

What's the penalty like in Russia for posession or sell of drugs?

I was in Europe a couple of months ago and I was surprised at how much drug use I noted in France. It's illegal there, but no one seems to care. When I was younger I never noticed it; I guess it was because I didn't know what it was.

well, in Russia he would go for 5-6 years. And believe me, Russian jail is not a place to be, american jail is a sanotorium comparing to that.

and it probably depends on state, here in California I was in a court for speeding ticket. Next to me there was sitting a guy. He was called before me. I did not pay much attention in the begining, and then, what I heard freaked me out, that kid was trying to sell some amount of marijuana to his neighbor. My got, I was sitting next to drug dealer. I understand, I am not an angel, I was really speeding, but I do not think that it should be considered a crime on the same level like selling drugs.

After going to Amsterdam where it isn't ok to walk on the street with a beer in your hand but totally alright to smoke a joint in public, I have become much more liberal towards drugs. I think the Dutch have it right. I don't see why people should be punished as harshly as they are in some American states for doing something that is relatively harmless, certainly doesn't seem any more harmful than beer and liquor.

5-6 years in Russia? That is harsh. I knew Russians weren't liberal, but I didn't realize it was like that.

When I was in court for a speeding ticket I was behind some guy who had a DUI. I think that's worse than selling drugs unless the kid was selling a LOT of drugs hehe.

Speeding tickets are lame. I can certianly handle driving my car that was built to do 150 at 85mph down an almost deserted interstate at 1am, but the cop didn't seem to agree.

Well, harshness of Russian laws is compensated by lack of necessity to obey them.

If you are caught with some small quantity of pot on you cops will likely accept bribe from you and let you go.

But if you don't have money to bribe them or got really unlucky you can get your time in prison and in this case I wouldn't wish I were you.

Well, I grew up in Russian culture, where alcohol was considered OK, and drugs are really really bad. I still think the same way, I may be wrong, but I do not feel like discuss the subject "what is worse alcohol vs drugs". And most Russians believe the same way, it is totally appropriate to walk with a bottle of beer, drinking from it while you walk down the street in Russia, but you are in real trouble if you are arrested for drugs. And speaking about Russian ments (cops), they can beat you while they arrest you. Not that much for an American, but I would not advise to risk that.

Note: Russian Parlamient (Duma) recently discussed new low prohibiting alcohol in the streets, I do not know if it got through and how much it is enforced in the streets, I doubt that it will be enforced de facto soon.

Originally Posted by Vesh

Well, harshness of Russian laws is compensated by lack of necessity to obey them.

If you are caught with some small quantity of pot on you cops will likely accept bribe from you and let you go.

But if you don't have money to bribe them or got really unlucky you can get your time in prison and in this case I wouldn't wish I were you.

well, I would not put my full hope on bribing, you can be very unlucky, if you get arrested during "специальный рейд", or they can ask for a really big bribe, considering possible punishment for that. Like a thousand or more dollars.

Wasn't intending to provoke a discussion on the subject. Personally I don't drink alcohal anymore. I did in college. It was fun. I don't really have anything against it, it's just not really my thing. I may drink again the future, I may not.

I really enjoyed Mardi Gras in New Orleans when I went. Greatest display of public drunkeness I've ever seen, but it was cool. If I went there again I'd definitely drink. If I ever go to Russia I'm sure I'll drink.

So bribing the cops is common eh? What exactly is the procedure for that. Do you just say, "Hey, you could arrest me... or I have $500 in my pocket that you can have." What if the cop is honest and doesn't want to take the bribe? Are you royally ****** for having offered it?

I guess that the next theme would be "how to buy a prostitute on the streets in Russia?"
Do you really have nothing else to talk about?
For me it looks like Клуб самоубийц - discussing the ways of killing yourselves?
Drugs and alcohol are killing the people of Russia. It is very sad. There is no "liberty" in that. People there are doing that not for fun, but because they are desperate.

There are no honest cops in Russia, they do not survive. Compare it to Mexico.

Bribing is a special art, but in general, you do not discuss that with cop on public. The best way is to put small amont into your passport, where your picture is. 500 would be too much, 20 for the most small "misunderstanding" is just fine. Specially for traffic tickets. It is better to bribe in roubles, not dollars, unless it is something serious. You can say some provoking phrase, for example, you put 100 roubles into your passport when you give it to cop, and when he opens it, you ask: "I hope my picture looks ok to you?" If he shakes his head, or say something negative about that, you can add a portret of another american president. Another way to exchange is to shake you hands with the cop. Or, if you are sure that nobody sees that and that cop is sure that nobody sees you, you can put money in his front pocket. Do not say anything which indicates that you are bribing him, as he is not sure if you do not have any recordering devices on you. Say something which nondirect way explains it to the cop.

But again, it is better not to get into that at all.

Originally Posted by CTPEKO3A

I guess that the next theme would be "how to buy a prostitute on the streets in Russia?"
Do you really have nothing else to talk about?
For me it looks like Клуб самоубийц - discussing the ways of killing yourselves?
Drugs and alcohol are killing the people of Russia. It is very sad. There is no "liberty" in that. People there are doing that not for fun, but because they are desperate.

well, I agree with you, that is why I explain that it is not a good idea of using drugs in Russia at all.

For the things of bribing, this is important for surviving there, sometimes when it is not your fault at all even.

Thanks for the explanation. I'll remember that.

Speaking of prostitution in Russia.... hehe, actually I've already read a nice paper about that in college in psyche class. It was about prostitutes around the world. I don't know how much of it was fiction though. They said in Russia you usually went to the girls house, and sometimes ate dinner with her family. Sounds rather unbelievable.

Also, yes, I really have nothing better to talk about than Russian law-enforcements stand on drugs. Am I supposed to simply be uneducated about it? If you want to tell me about the horrors of drugs and how it's only done by desperate people there, I want to hear about that too. I had no idea Russian people were so anti-drug when most Europeans I have encountered seem to think the American stance on drug-enforcement is ludicrous. Russians aren't like other Europeans, and that's fine by me; I just want to know.

BTW, I have in no way advocated the use of drugs.

Originally Posted by Nathan

Speaking of prostitution in Russia.... hehe, actually I've already read a nice paper about that in college in psyche class. It was about prostitutes around the world. I don't know how much of it was fiction though. They said in Russia you usually went to the girls house, and sometimes ate dinner with her family. Sounds rather unbelievable.

BS

Welp, figured as much. It wasn't 'real' course-material. The class was cross-cultural psychology and we read that paper as a fun thing to do the day before a break.

Note: Russian Parlamient (Duma) recently discussed new low prohibiting alcohol in the streets, I do not know if it got through and how much it is enforced in the streets, I doubt that it will be enforced de facto soon

It's being enforced alright in some places. Saw cops arrest a student for (I take it) drinking beer in the street today (брали сидора жёстко - с завалом на землю и прикладыванием ботами к почкам). But in other places no one really cares. Pity.

Re: drugs
Steer clear of that sh*t.

Originally Posted by Nathan

They said in Russia you usually went to the girls house, and sometimes ate dinner with her family. Sounds rather unbelievable.

Absolute truth. And in England when you go to a prostitute you end up playing golf with her father, bingo with her granny and walking her brother's labrador. In the US I hear you go to a baseball game with her dad. In France, what was it in France? Ah, peeling onions and baking croissants with her husband, of course!

If I go to England and don't get some Shephard's pie with my prostitute, I'm going to be upset.

I dont believe it! VM after all this time has said something sensible, which I agree with..............stay clear of the drugs...........you have some respect VM thank you.

Drugs aint good for you at all, (apart from prescribed drugs of course) I really think a lot of youngsters cant see the real harm that drugs like gunja, grass and marujana can actually do to you, although there have been tests in this country that doctors are now prescribing hash, and weed to patients with artheritis etc.

You want my advice, dont do drugs at all, it can be a slow, miserable and very painful death,and no one gives a crap about if you live or die.
When I was in my late teens I went through a bad patch with my family, I was a kind of outcast if you like, I never went to school much, couldnt hold down a job, basically a loser, but thank god that I have actually come through. But there is one memory that stays in my mind and it haunts me to this very day. While I was homeless, I used to sleep in shop doorways in Central London, no-one cared, anyway, there was one young lad who was also homeless in the area who was constantly puffing and jacking up with heroin, and I remember it as clear as day, I actually sat and watched him die within a few hours, I can almost still remember how it smelled, it was a mixture of soil, vomit, and stale urine. I asked people for help to call an ambulance or a doctor or something, people just looked down on us like we were not human, and all I got from people was comments like, you should get a job, and how disgusting, IT WAS THE MOST HORRIFIC TIME OF MY LIFE. Anyway, an ambulance did eventualy arrive but by the time it got to us, the guy was dead. Even now after 25 years I still feel sad for that young guy, such a waste of a life. I still shed a little tear now and again when I think about what happened and to think that it could have been me, and also how lucky I have been. I really would'nt want to wish that on my worst enemy, so if you are thinking about having a quick spliff or some so called 'soft' drug, think again, and think about what I have written here. Stay of drugs and lead a happier and healthier life, believe me, you wont regret it.

But! The question is: "What's the illegal drug situation like in major russian cities? " We all have opions about whether one should or should not. Personal experiences too. I have mine: 30 years as a "user" (now "reformed"). But please - answer the question: what is the illegal drug situation like in major russian cities?" I have understood (from my wife) and read (on the BBC) that drug usage in Kaliningrad is at an all time high (no pun intended). If people are being arrested for drug dealing, or usage, then there is obviously usage. So what is the illegal drug situation in major russian cities - and I would add.... what is the illegal drug situation like in smaller towns / cities?