Mintimer Shaimiev took part in a joint meeting of the Council under the RF President’s Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Volga Federal District and the Secretary of Russia’s Security Council

The joint meeting of the Council under the Plenipotentiary Envoy of the Russian President to the Volga Federal District and the Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation took place in Perm on August 5. Tatarstan President Mintimer Shaimiev attended the meeting.

The meeting was chaired by Plenipotentiary Envoy Grigory Rapota and Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev.

The issues related to threats to national security arising within implementing national strategic priorities and measures aimed to eliminate them amid the ongoing financial and economic crisis, as well as to increase the efficiency of countering drug trafficking in the territory of the region were discussed during the meeting.

Attendees at the meeting were the President of Tatarstan Mintimer Shaimiev, heads of Volga regions, representatives from the Federal Assembly and federal executive bodies.

"In general, I think we have had a good exchange of opinions. Discussing the issue of countering drug abuse in the Volga region was especially important. The issue has been repeatedly raised here in Tatarstan," noted the president.

According to Mintimer Shaimiev, in the speech at the meeting he enhanced that tests for drug abuse among students should be allowed. "Supporters of this proposal are increasingly many," added the president. "A federal law might be adopted; otherwise amendments to the existing federal law will be made."

A draft law on drug and substance abuse prevention is being reviewed by the Tatarstan State Council.

"Increasing drug addiction is a threat to national security," enhanced the Tatarstan CEO. Spread of narcotics continues to affect law enforcement, economy, culture and human health. Mintimer Shaimiev highlighted illegal drug trafficking across borders and emergence of new strong synthetic drugs.

"There is just one conclusion: we need to continue to proactively fight with drug abuse. It is a fight for the future of younger people and our citizens," concluded the head of Tatarstan.