Viktor Cherkesov said there were no exact figures. "Unfortunately, the figures we have do not reflect the real number of deaths from drug use, because in most cases people die not from overdoses but from other serious diseases caused by prolonged drug addiction," he said.
Cherkesov said about two thirds of drug-related crimes were connected with drug sale rather than possession, as had previously been the case. He said the fight against organized drug groups had been stepped up significantly, adding that the activity of 565 such groups had been terminated. According to the official, over 13,000 crimes committed by such groups were revealed in 2005.
He said 4,700kg of heroin had been seized in 2005 alone, compared to only a few kilograms per year ten years ago. He added around 80,000 drug-related crimes had been registered in 2005, 50% more than in 2004.
Cherkesov said his service's activity had greatly reduced the availability of illegal drugs for young people.
