Russians Comment on Ways to Curb the Use of Alcohol

November 3, 2009

By CLIFFORD J. LEVY

MOSCOW — How hard will it be for the Russian government to reduce the country’s alcohol consumption? The New York Times asked readers of its Russian-language blog on livejournal.com for their thoughts.

Here are some of their responses, as translated by the Moscow bureau of The Times. CLIFFORD J. LEVY

“Russia is dying out because of drunkenness. No matter how much you criticize Gorbachev, his anti-alcohol campaign gave us 20 million births, a high figure. It’s just that the campaign was carried out incompetently, and they should not have banned everything at once. The best thing for Russia now would be to declare a ‘dry law,’ a strict one and for about 30 years, so that a new sober generation will grow. Nothing can be solved in Russia by half-measures. Such is our country.” Zusulrasha

“One can struggle against alcoholism with the help of books, good movies, good opportunities for spending free time, exhibitions, performances, music, high-quality and accessible education, sports, an increase in the social status of teachers and educators, even landscape gardening and bikeways. But it is useless to fight against drinking with laws and punishment.” Lepestriny

“For a Russian, alcohol is an extremely personal, and even intimate, thing. This is why no president or government can influence the relationship of ‘a Russian and his vodka.’ The joy of drinking has always existed in Russia, exists and will exist, irrespective of the size of the container, the time of the selling or any other stupid thing.” Alien_cat

“The main harm comes from vodka, especially fake vodka and other surrogates. If beer becomes less accessible, people will drink more low-quality alcohol and death rates will increase. On the contrary, it is necessary to make weak alcoholic drinks and high-quality wines accessible, and completely or almost completely ban strong drinks.” Beesay

“The problem exists, and it’s simply stupid to hide your head in the sand. For example, it’s hot, and you are thirsty: 0.5 liter of beer in a kiosk — 20 rubles; 1.5 liter — 40 rubles. Or juice: 0.25 liter — 30 rubles; 1 liter — 60 rubles. What will a student buy?” Numrik

“In the U.S.S.R., most of the population did not have any alternative to alcohol consumption, which is why attempts at restricting the addiction of Soviet citizens to alcohol had the same result. Now our country’s population is motivated to achieve higher living standards. The situation I see in my city shows a sharp drop in consumption of strong liquor among people between 18 and 45. I think there will come a time when Russians will reproach people in other Western countries — ‘You should drink less!’ ” Muaddib_2000

“Every 10 to 15 years another ‘struggle’ that never gives any results, and sometimes worsens the situation, has to be announced. The authorities have to shrug their shoulders, say routine phrases like ‘such are the people,’ quote three times made-up phrases from Prince Vladimir (‘The greatest fun in Russia is drinking’) etc. The reasons are obvious: it is easier to take wealth from a drunken people and sell it to the Chinese and to Europe.” Sssshhssss

“Only treatment can help an alcoholic, and no restrictions will stop him. In the worst case, he can drink denaturized alcohol, cologne, hawthorn-berry-infused alcohol or something else. At a store they can easily sell alcohol to a minnow, despite a ban (stores need revenues). There is a watering hall or a bar at every corner, in the parks there is a cafe every few steps.” Elen_mur

“A Russian drinks not because he lives in fat city. The only valid way that the state can influence alcohol consumption is to drastically improve the quality of life for ordinary citizens.” Photocorr