The New York Times - Russia Seeks Balance in Drug-Use Sentencing

The New York Times > International > Europe > Russia Seeks Balance in Drug-Use Sentencing: "the new policies restore a balance between crime and punishment and protect small-time drug offenders - those caught with up to 10 doses of illicit substances for personal use - from prison and its associated risks. Drug treatment specialists and aid workers describe the change as a breakthrough that could alleviate prison overcrowding and perhaps the spread of infectious diseases."