Medvedev: Russia must cut substance abuse

MOSCOW, July 4 (UPI) -- To reduce drug and alcohol abuse, Russia needs a comprehensive program, not just bans on their use, President Dmitry Medvedev said Saturday.

Medvedev discussed the problem in a teleconference with participants in the Seleger 2009 youth forum, ITAR-TASS reported. He said "foolish bans" will not work.

Annual alcohol consumption averages nearly 18 liters of pure alcohol per person, he said.

"This is a monstrous figure," Medvedev said. "After 9 to10 liters, gene pool problems arise, and degradation begins. We should use all kinds of methods in order to change our attitude toward this dramatically."

Medvedev said a comprehensive program would include raising Russian salaries and providing alternatives so fewer people "go to a store, buy a bottle and, sitting red-eyed in the kitchen, get glued to the TV screen."

The president also said 40 percent of young Russians have "made a conscious decision to destroy their own health" by smoking.