Over a million citizens die every year because of alcohol and drugs

This is reported by RIA Novosti, referring to the report of the federal project "Sober Russia" - "National demographic rating of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation - 2021".

Analysts clarified that the total number of drug addicts - Russians only those who are officially registered - is over 600 thousand people. At the same time, opinion polls have shown that about 7.5 million people use drugs. According to other sources, there are more than 8 million of them.

"The number of drug users closest to reality exceeds 5 million people, or 3.5% of the total population of the Russian Federation. Such discrepancies are explained by the fact that out of 10 drug addicts, only one is officially registered", - the authors of the report believe.

Over the past five years, the number of juvenile drug addicts has grown by more than 60%. Law enforcement officers and doctors have established a pattern: one drug user draws in about 10 more people during the year.

The authors of the report clarify that over 20% of Russians started smoking at the age of 14-15.

"Among the surveyed adolescents aged 14-18, more than 40% of boys smoke, girls about 7%. More and more smokers and patients with pulmonary diseases appear among children. The highest level of smoking youth is observed among students of vocational schools and technical schools. Only about 73% of students and 65% of female students are addicted to tobacco", - the document says.

Note that at the end of last year, "Sober Russia" predicted a reduction in the number of citizens to 125 million people by 2050. The economic damage to society and the entire country from the consequences of alcoholism, drug addiction and tobacco smoking for the year is up to 12% of the country's GDP - over 13 trillion rubles annually, experts said.