To the page “Social philosophy”
Dr. Sergey Zagraevsky
About alcohol and alcoholism in Russia
Attention!
The following text was translated from the Russian original by the computer program
and has not yet been edited.
So it can be used only for general introduction.
First of all,
Let us state the truism: the task of any state is to combat the many evils of
society. It is unlikely that this is
debatable.
One can hardly argue and yet
another truism: alcoholism is a vice of society.
It would seem, under the laws of
logic, the conclusion here should be clear: the task of the state is wrestling
with alcoholism as one of the ills of society. Also, for example, as drug
addiction.
This in theory. But in practice, not quite so -
more precisely, not so. Can you imagine that the shelves
of grocery stores were filled with ... drugs? Various types, produced the most
famous and reputable firms in the most vivid and attractive packaging, which
had been worked best designers?
Of course, this is not
available. A Liquor shelves of all, without
exception, supermarkets, grocery stores, shops, shops and stalls literally crammed.
Moreover, a variety released by
the most renowned and reputable firms in the most striking and attractive
packaging ... and that, because the state is struggling with alcoholism -
society's ills?
It may be objected: alcoholism -
a disease that needs to be treated. And little by little - why not
drink? That is to say, "for the
mood"?
Yes, but drugs also can eat a
little - "for the mood, and substance abuse treatment to be had, and it
is, so to speak, beyond ... So why not start selling in
stores and drugs? In the bright and attractive
packaging?
But
do not start the same. And the thing that determine the
proverbial edge, where it ends "a little" impossible. In this case, rather the most
risk of drug abuse - a terrible disease that destroys a person's psyche,
leading to the degradation of his personality - to be excluded from legal trade
anything that could potentially lead to it.
Many will remember Amsterdam, where legally sold so-called "light" drugs - hash, mushrooms,
hallucinogens and all such stuff. Surely the Dutch are not afraid
of degeneration of the nation?
To this answer: drug use among
the Dutch themselves - a great rarity. They're just such a
"dirty" way to attract tourists swell the state budget. As far as revenue from
"drug tourism" to justify staggering through the streets of Amsterdam, the crowd was not quite adequate foreigners with staring eyes - do not know,
the Dutch know better. Maybe
they are accustomed. Maybe it has already become a
national landmark, along with well-known throughout the world "red light
district" ... But we know many cases where people of different countries
so often visited Amsterdam with a specific purpose (certainly no acquaintance
with the monuments, which in this beautiful old City set) that a few years is no
longer good day can not live without drugs. Gradually, they lead the
appropriate context and at home, got this marijuana, hashish, cocaine, LSD ...
and just as gradually lose everything - and work and family, and housing ...
In fairness, we note that votes
for total ban on drugs in the Netherlands are distributed continuously, and
there is no doubt that sooner or later they are still banned. And now they're in no case do
not stand in attractive packages on the shelves of grocery stores: you can buy
them only in the so-called "coffee shops", and only asking the
bartender "special menu" (usually unpresentable laminated sheet of
paper). And these 'coffee shops' are
more like the dirty dens - at least, compared to conventional coffee.
But in the Netherlands - its problems, Russia - their own. And Russia's main problem is not
drugs - in any case, its scale is not greater than in other countries. The main and (that is doubly
sad), the traditional problem of Russia is alcoholism.
Here and in the tradition of the
use of alcoholic beverages is mostly vodka. And the tradition of the Russian
feast "- with many toasts and the same vodka. And the tradition of
"soobrazhat on three" - when the "intimate conversations"
carried out under the same vodka. And the tradition of spontaneous
mix drinks of varying strength (usually a beer and vodka, but possible) ... and
so on, all the "ancient Russian" tradition associated with alcoholic
beverages, are not listed.
As a result, in Russia there was a very specific situation: a society in varying degrees condemns drug
abuse, gambling, prostitution, and even tobacco - but alcohol is not only not
condemned, but often encouraged. How often do any of us have
heard phrases like: "What, you do not drink to my health? What are you, not Russian, not
just drinking? You do not want to drink with
me, then do not respect me? ".." This is already making use of
alcoholic beverages in a social tool.
A tradition of Russian culture? Not subculture, namely culture -
in fact not the same subculture is Pushkin's "Drink with grief, where is
the club? The heart will be happier,
"Blok" You're right, drunken monster! I know: the truth in wine
"or Yesenin" I'm going head overhangs, side street in a familiar
tavern. However, in the various
subcultures of alcohol was always present plenty - immediately reminded of
something like "I would be vodka, and the case we will always find"
or "bottle of wine without a headache and pain in those who did not drink
anything."
And what a selection of
alcoholic beverages in the Russian stores! Especially vodka - in what other
country could meet so many tens and even hundreds of names of the product, with
such an endless variety of grades, bottles, labels, design! It would seem, in any case, it
is only then alcohol, diluted with water at a ratio of 40/60, - but no, if you
read everything that is written on the labels, it is just the elixir of life! And all this would be okay for
foreign tourists, like drugs in Amsterdam - no, for the Russians! All in Russian, all in Russian
realities - the birch trees, fields, woods, the king-father, reliability
Prince, the capital of Moscow, domes, bell, streams, springs ...
A beer? What are the masterpieces of
advertising creative dedicated to him! Laws that restrict its
advertising, subject the numerous restrictions and regulations - and how
gracefully these prohibitions cost, and no one standard is not broken! We can not show people in the
television advertising of beer - and do not need to be done so that in the
imagination of viewers, these images become more visible! And what music played in these
commercials - to hear them! Who will be there to stare and
ponder dreary faded inscription at the bottom of the screen: "Excessive
consumption of beer hurts ..." But what can damage this beauty? Drink, dear compatriots! So drink.
"Let him drink, if only to
measure!" - Can be heard. But where is she, that measure? Not over there, where it
"gradually" to drugs, of which we have already said?
Alcoholism, like any disease,
has several forms and stages, and not just sick people is socially inadequate
and falls out of society. First, an alcoholic, a drug
addict and in the early stages, becomes distracted and forgetful, his reactions
are slowed down, he loses the ability to do many things at once and take into
account when making decisions all the necessary factors gradually disappearing
sense of responsibility for their actions, turn off such notions as honor, conscience, commitment,
initiative ... Often at this stage, no one
notices that the man "ruin oneself by drink" - never know why it all
falls out of the hands, you never know why it has become worse than work, you
never know why he was nervous and scandalous? A basic formal signs of
alcoholism (red nose, sallow complexion, aggravated diction, slurred speech,
trembling hands, inappropriate gestures, constant aggression, or, conversely,
inhibition, etc.) - it is then.
A
"beer" alcoholism? It acts on the brain and psyche
slower than "vodka", but quickly destroys the liver, kidneys and
other internal organs as well as less strength beer is compensated by its
quantity. It seems to be "light"
drink - these people do not believe how much they drank, and eventually
unconsciously "pumped" through the body several liters a day.
Long before the earliest stages
of alcoholism - that such a man who had been drinking at the wheel of a car,
let alone an airplane? And at the factory where the
quality of the processed parts are also often dependent lives? And in the family, at home, -
whether to tell what terrible events occur "drunk"? A stroll through the streets of
Russian cities in the company of young and not so young people, and everyone in
my hand on a can of beer - so then as they want ... No, they also want to make
a row, but more often than their desire for a more prosaic: beer, as you know, good diuretic. So turn the yards and parks in
public toilets.
And to those who say that drug
addiction - a terrible disease than alcoholism, the answer: not only in the
Russian context. Drugs, in fact, lead to
addiction faster and faster to dislodge people from society than alcohol - but
how many drug addicts in Russia? Tens of thousands. It would seem that many of them
- but how many alcoholics? Millions, if not tens of
millions.
And addicts - mostly residents
of large cities, they were not seen or heard, and the percentage of their
population is very small. And how many in Russia localities where alcoholism in one form or another and the stage - not a lot out
there per cent, while the majority of citizens! However, even in cities far more
alcoholics than drug abusers, and they do not lie on mattresses in their dens,
and absolutely openly roam the streets and gather at the stalls, sit on benches
and drink, and drink. And then go home and drink again
- already, if I may say so, "the family". In the eyes of children.
Speaking of children: drug
addicts are usually so quickly "burn out" or are isolated from
society, that no time during his illness to give birth to offspring. But alcoholism due to its longer
course and even prevents play "victims drunken conception. What often these children are
born, everyone knows.
So terrible for Russia - alcoholism or drug addiction? The answer is obvious.
Obvious conclusion from this and
the answer: to prevent trafficking of alcohol as prohibited drug trafficking. In other words, to enter the Russian Federation, full and unconditional "prohibition". With the same penalties for its
violation, which currently provides the Penal Code for the acquisition,
storage, transportation, manufacturing, processing, trafficking and
organization of the use of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their
analogues.
Half measures - increasing
excise taxes on alcoholic beverages, the introduction of state monopoly on the
manufacture and sale of alcohol, artificial creation of the deficit
alcohol-containing products, with the exception of the turnover of all possible
substitutes and fakes - unfortunately, it is not only useless but even harmful.
They only serve to directly or
indirectly (in the hypothetical withdrawal from the market of cheap low-quality
drinks) higher prices, while virtually reducing the volume of sales of alcohol.
For example: you can not enter
into the legal market turnover defensive firearms in an attempt to reduce the
volume of its sales (and, consequently, the risk posed by him) by repeated
overstatement of its price. All the same people bought
handguns and submachine guns, and the streets will not silence the shooting.
A similar situation with alcohol
is even worse because the gun on the last of his money, few will buy, and buy a
lot of vodka. Consequently, if the increase in
its prices, it would mean not only the continuation of welding of people, but
also a general lowering of their lives. On this subject reminds anecdote
mid-1980's - memorable times of Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign: "Daddy,
on television said that the vodka will rise in price, then you'll drink less? - No, son, it means that you'll
eat less. "
Therefore, there could be, as
they say, either-or. Or settle - in an environment of
free competition and market pricing, or prohibit - completely and
unconditionally.
Hypothetical withdrawal from the
market of alcoholic substitutes and fakes, too, does not solve the problem. Surrogates and forgery does not
increase the risk of alcoholism, and food poisoning. A poison can and sausages, and
pastries.
Well, any restrictions on
advertising of any alcoholic beverages - not even half-measures, and, so to
speak, "chetvertmery. After all alcohol advertising
per se does not need (especially in Russia), and these restrictions, only a few
make it difficult to compete manufacturers. And slightly difficult - even if
the total ban and outdoor and television advertising of any alcohol-containing
products, it will start so-called "action BTL» - «of cheap
advertising". For example, passers-by on the
streets begin to pester and pretty boys and girls with offers to taste one or
another drink. Or all public places will fill
hawkers handbills. As a result, manufacturers of
alcohol and still save on advertising budgets and be able to reduce prices of
their products. So, people will drink more.
Since we remembered anti-alcohol
campaign of the mid-1980's, recall and the reasons for its failure.
I think that it was primarily in
the fact that it consisted of the infamous half-measures. Instead of taking
"prohibition" was only a drastically reduced production of alcohol
(in particular, cut the vines), increased state prices for alcohol
(particularly vodka has cost depending on the grade is not 4-5 rubles, and
10-12) and some restrictions on trade (in
particular, Liquor stores did not work in the morning, and with two hours of
the day, and to sell alcohol do not become citizens over the age of 18 and 21
years).
Not surprisingly, these half-measures
only angered people, and together with the collapse of Soviet power, the
development of market relations and the free importation of alcohol they have
turned into nothing at all. Moreover - in the early 1990's a
little bit decent spirits became an indispensable component of the same
"high" standard of living as second-hand prestigious foreign cars and
bright red jackets.
But if the Soviet era, in a
virtually unlimited administrative resource "of the Party and government,
was adopted by the unconditional" prohibition "- that is very likely
that he would set a precedent that Russian lawmakers have not decided to cancel
the order not to incur the charge of "soldering
the people."
Of course, history does not
tolerate the subjunctive, but the historical mistakes can and should be taken
into account. And
if the "dry laws" were not accepted, it can and should take now that
the administrative resources of the ruling party is hardly less than in Soviet
times.
When discussing the possibility
of introducing a "prohibition" usually raises the following
questions:
- Do not give it a crack the
state budget lost revenue from alcohol?
- Do not begin large-scale
popular protests in the form of demonstrations, rallies, referenda,
impeachment, and even armed rebellion?
- As without
"drinking" to celebrate a wedding, funeral, baptisms, anniversaries,
receiving guests, "relax", "treatment" and
"quench"?
- Do not start mass production
of moonshine and homemade wine, will not start if the citizens drink cologne, polish,
methylated spirits and other poison?
Well, the answer in order.
There is a stereotypical view that revenues from excise taxes on alcohol -
almost the main part of the state budget of the Russian Federation. But in fact, this opinion has
nothing to do with reality. For example, consider the 2008
budget. Its total revenues of
approximately 6.8 trillion. rubles, of which revenues from
oil and gas industry accounted for 36% (about $ 2.4 trillion.) revenues from
value added tax - 19% (about $ 1.3 trillion.), and the income from the
production, import and realization of all types of alcoholic beverages including alcohol from food raw
material ... About 15 billion rubles. This is 0,2% of budget revenues.
Needless to say, that in the
case of the introduction of "prohibition" Few people notice the loss
of such a negligible percentage of income?
It is easy to understand where
all this took radically wrong stereotype about the fact that alcohol -
"lifeline" for the budget. To do this we must recall a much
more successful anti-alcohol campaign than the one held in mid-1980, -
"prohibition" in 1914. He was so effective even in the
First World War, two revolutions, civil war and war communism ", which
lasted until 1923. For example, in 1916 the famous
physician, Doctor of Medical Sciences AL Mandelson wrote: "The Tale
of sobriety - this anticipation of heaven on earth - has become in Russia the
truth. Decreased crime, quiet
hooliganism declined begging, empty prisons, hospitals were freed, the world
has come in families, raise labor productivity, was a fortune. Despite the shock, the village
has preserved and economic stability and cheerful mood, relief from the heavy
burden - drinking, immediately stood up and raised the Russian people. Yes would be a shame to all
those who said that sobriety among the people is inconceivable that she was not
achieved prohibition. No half measures are needed for
this, but one decisive irrevocable action: to remove alcohol from the free
circulation in the human society for all eternity.
But the beginning of the
"new economic policy", nepmen no hurry to pay the taxes, industry and
agriculture have not yet been eliminated effects of disruption, oil and gas
exporting country has not yet - and then the Soviet government (without Lenin, who
This issue has a strong
position) has decided to replenish the state budget at the expense of the
excise tax on alcohol.
Thus it happened that the Soviet
citizens began to take not only the real estate, jewelry and other property,
but also health. And the right people would ruin
their health for at least some reward, or even for free - no, they are also
paid (and still paying), excise taxes are included in the price of alcoholic
beverages. That such a "vicious
circle" was the willingness to enter into the state budget "alcoholic
income."
It should be noted in fairness
that during the Great Patriotic War, alcohol has played a positive rather than
negative role. Remember the daily
"frontline ounces", and the attack went seldom sober, and in
extremely cold winter of 1941 and 1942 at Moscow and Stalingrad on the front
line just rolled out barrels of alcohol, and everyone drank as he could - or
sit in the trenches of the thirty-degree Frost
was not possible. Fires something on the front not
razozhzhesh, tea does not boil ...
But the war had ended long ago,
and nowadays people are unlikely to be dizzy alcohol for some of these goals -
the conquest of the world, Europe, or at least a small neighboring states. On the contrary - in modern
Russian conditions necessary to fully develop the business, and business people
need a cool head. And it demonstrates once again
in favor of "prohibition".
The second question - about
possible riots, impeachment, referendums and other things like that. There is no doubt that in modern
Russian conditions they will not, as there was in the mid-1980. In the volatile 90th - yes,
would have been. And now? At the local level, when you
close one, single Liquor stores - perhaps people could gather and pobuyanit. But if the "dry laws"
will be introduced on a national scale, then to organize a little bit
meaningful resistance, you will have at least All-Russian political party -
though not "beer" (remember, there was such), and "lovers of vodka." It is unlikely that someone will
treat such a "party" seriously.
One can not ignore the
psychological factor. In our time to speak out against
the "prohibition" Few people dare to, because in regard to human
health is now very different priorities than, for example, in 1933, when repeal
the "prohibition" in the U.S. (in force since 1919). That epoch is completely
characterized by a poster: a child is sitting on the pot that way three years,
in its mouth cigarette, and below the signature: "Mama, do not be angry
with me, better give me a light." Joke? No, it is common in the 1930's
advertising of cigarettes, Marlboro. Do not prohibited at that time
was the use of children and alcohol advertising. Few then thought about a healthy
lifestyle. Widespread fashion last appeared
in the developed Western countries, only in 1980 (can be presented with a
bottle or a cigarette Schwarzenegger or Van Damme?), And Russia - and that
later, after the collapse of the Soviet Union. (In Soviet times, advocated the
replacement of the State Physical Culture vodka or cheap fortified wine -
"tangle-legs" - was almost a form of public protest).
Of course, many people the
introduction of "dry law" will be displeased, and "fist in his
pocket," some will be kept. May be reduced and the level of
confidence in the government, and a rating of the country's leadership and
constituency of the ruling party. But in an almost unlimited
administrative resources and state control over the mainstream media, this
decline will affect the election results is very negligible, if any, impact: the
position of the government and the ruling party can, conversely, dig, because
people instinctively respected decisive action, even if the latter unpopular.
Undoubtedly, the "dry
laws" should be introduced gradually and in stages (for example, first to ban
alcoholic beverages stronger than 30 degrees, then - ten, then - five, then the
other), and in parallel and will need massive awareness campaign involving all
sorts of media . This would alleviate all the
theoretically possible negative consequences.
The third question, as we
recall, was that people will have nothing to drink for the holidays. On the answer: God forbid that
people did not have more serious problems than the choice of drinks for the
festive table. If spirits lift in stages, it
will be time to adapt and develop new traditions to replace the existing - such
as that in the wedding without the drunken brawl, "or, excuse me,"
Faces in the salad. " And the sooner this will stop a
national disgrace, the better.
Same with the need to
"relax". Modern life offers alcohol as a
way to "relax", let alone "treatment" or "thirst
quencher", many far more effective and useful alternatives.
Note that in the 8-hour working
day and more or less organized way of life every person has an average of 3-4
hours of leisure per day. And he will spend them - for
"relaxation" with the help of vodka or beer? Or maybe to something less
harmful to health and the man himself, and his offspring? This is one of the main tasks of
the state - improving leisure citizens, increase their cultural and educational
level. Fairs, theaters, museums,
movies, quality TV, sport, fitness, family recreation, and various recreational
activities, self-education, collectibles - all this must take more and more
places in the life of citizens. And the "prohibition"
repeatedly accelerate this positive process.
And, finally, the fourth
question: whether people will not start en masse to drive home brew, push
homemade wine, drink cologne and prepare cocktails in the style of Benedict
Erofeev - denatured alcohol, lacquer peeled, nail polish, a cure for Athlete's
Foot "?
Once they start - yes (some, in
fact, never stopped). But en masse - no. Once again a parallel with drug
addiction: if, as they say, "very necessary", then any you can buy
all the ingredients for homemade quite "effective" drugs. Probably, they will be harmful
to health than the "factory" - but "factory", too, to put
it mildly, not very useful, so that here, "lost his head, his hair did not
cry." Same with alcohol: the one who
"really need" a drink, and spirits "Christian Dior".
They are the ones who
"really need". For those who absolutely
"no need", here in general are not talking - they will not even think
on these topics. But there are always some
"average", "undecideds" mass of people prone to alcoholism
only potentially. In other words, they will drink
if they were "present" (or offer a huge selection of alcoholic
beverages in stores), but will not overcome the more or less serious
difficulties in obtaining alcohol, and even more to break the law for the sake
of drinking. " They were not going to drive
home brew, or make homemade wine, if it will be provided for administrative or
criminal penalties. They will not drink no cologne,
no polish - elementary disdain.
And these people - law-abiding
citizens, "the inhabitants", upon which social peace - a majority. If it were not so, the world
would be impossible to live.
Remain a minority - those who
already have ready to drink alcohol and all sorts of denatured alcohol, and
those who, for the profit and ready to drive home brew and sell it, and
illegally importing alcohol from abroad. The first should deal with
doctors, the second - the law enforcement agencies. This is nothing new -
absolutely, we see a similar situation with drugs. Wrestling with society and the
state have already learned so much that about addiction as a disease of tens of
millions of people are not talking.
Therefore, there is no doubt
that, just like state and society will learn to fight illicit trafficking of alcohol.
The case only in order not to
indulge baser instincts of people, the political will to the nation's health
and to introduce a "prohibition" as a necessary tool to further
advance the Russian Federation towards the most developed and civilized country.
The infamous stereotype of
"all Russian vodka drink" should be the same historical absurdity, as
the fact that "in Russia through the streets of cities go Bears.
Moscow, 2009.
© Sergey Zagraevsky
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