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Sidorov A.V.
The historical aspect of the forming the modern policy of criminal law counteraction to drug trafficking in Russia
Keywords: narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances, their analogues, criminal law policy, history of criminal legislation, anti-drug policy
The growth of drug crime in Russia indicates systemic problems in current state policy of countering illicit drug trafficking. The current situation requires an in-depth study of the historical background and factors that determined the current state of criminal law regulation. The purpose of the study is to formulate scientifically sound proposals for improving state policy in this area based on a historical and legal analysis of the stages and key changes in the policy of criminal law counteraction to illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Russia. Materials and methods. The methodological basis of the research consists of historical-legal, comparative-legal and formal-legal methods. The empirical basis is formed by the historical normative acts of Russia of the X–XXI centuries, the works of domestic jurists, as well as foreign legislation used for comparative analysis. Results. A multilevel analysis of the evolution of the legal regulation of drug trafficking in Russia was carried out. The study covered the period from the church charters of the X century, in which responsibility for dangerous substances trafficking ("concoctions") was associated with witchcraft and was under ecclesiastical jurisdiction, up to modern norms of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation and federal legislation. Special attention was paid to transformation of legal approaches at various historical stages: in the pre–Petrine period, during the imperial reforms of the XVIII–XIX centuries, in the Soviet and post-Soviet periods. Key trends in the development of anti-drug legislation were identified: consistent criminalization of acts related to drug trafficking; increased influence of international conventions on national legislation; gradual transition from exclusively repressive measures to comprehensive strategies combining preventive and rehabilitative approaches. Expanding the list of controlled substances and tightening sanctions were established to be historically a response to the rise in drug-related crime, but these measures did not always result in sustainable positive results. The analysis also showed that in order to effectively counteract this type of crime, it is necessary to take into account socio-economic factors and develop international cooperation. Conclusions. The conducted historical and legal research made it possible to identify key stages, trends and problematic points in the development of the state policy for countering illicit trafficking in narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances in Russia. Effective counteraction to drug trafficking requires an integrated approach combining modern legal norms, inter-agency cooperation and international cooperation. A promising area is creation of international bodies to counter drug trafficking with the participation of Russia and neighboring countries. Implementation of the principle of collective responsibility of States and the development of coordinated measures based on historical experience are necessary to achieve sustainable results in the fight against drug crime.
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About authors
- Sidorov Andrey V.
- Post-Graduate Student, Department of Criminal Law Disciplines, Chuvash State University, Russia, Cheboksary; Attorney-at-Law, Moscow Bar Association «SED LEX», Russia, Moscow (Sidorov.msk.advokat@yandex.ru; )
Article link
Sidorov A.V. The historical aspect of the forming the modern policy of criminal law counteraction to drug trafficking in Russia [Electronic resource] // Oeconomia et Jus. – 2025. – №4. P. 70-81. – URL: https://oecomia-et-jus.ru/en/single/2025/4/7/. DOI: 10.47026/2499-9636-2025-4-70-81.
