I. Прочтите и переведите текст “а”. Text a drug abuse

In the end of the 20^th century the number of drug users in the Russian Federation increased greatly. According to the opinion of specialists, the number of individuals abusing narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances may exceed three million people in the first decade of the 21^st century. The number of deaths among drug addicts is also growing. During the last five years the number of deaths among drug abusers increased by 2.9 times, including those caused by overdoses and intoxication – by 3.7 times.

A large drug market, convenient geographical location of the country for transit of drugs and some other reasons contribute to the growth of drug smuggling. So these days Russia is a target for expansion for international drug traffickers.

Drug dealing is one of the most profitable types of criminal activities. Drug distribution involves thousands of common people as couriers and petty dealers who are driven not only by the desire of easy and rapid gain but also by difficult material condition*.

The reduced spirituality in the Russian society, fashion of drug consumption spreading among youth, growing expansion of international drug business into Russia – all that promotes further narcotisation of the country’s population.

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*who are driven not only by the desire of easy and rapid gain but also by difficult material condition – зд. которыми движет не только стремление к легкому и быстрому обогащению, но также тяжелое материальное положение.

II. Найдите в тексте “а” предложения, отвечающие на следующие вопросы:

1. Наблюдается ли рост потребления наркотиков в Российской Федерации? Какие прогнозы количества наркоманов в России в 21 веке дают специалисты?

2. Растет ли число смертельных случаев среди наркоманов?

3. Каковы основные причины увеличения объемов контрабанды наркотиков в России?

4. Является ли наркоторговля одним из самых прибыльных видов криминальной деятельности?

5. Что привлекает мелких наркоторговцев и курьеров в этом криминальном бизнесе?

6. Какие факторы способствуют дальнейшему росту потребления наркотиков в России?

III. Заполните пропуски, используя следующие слова и выражения:

drug users; distribution of drugs; criminal activities; drug addicts; narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances; drug addiction; drug traffickers; convenient geographical location; easy and rapid gain; fashion of drug consumption

1. In the end of the 20^th century the number of … in the Russian Federation increased greatly.

2. Drug dealing is one of the most profitable types of … .

3. Importation, transit, and … on the territory of Russia became attractive for organized groups and criminal associations that took dominant positions in that field.

4. Over a half of all … seized (захваченных/конфискованных) in the country have foreign origin (имеют иностранное происхождение).

5. In 1985 there were just four regions (четыре региона) in Russia where, by expert estimates (по оценкам экспертов), there were over ten thousand …, in 1998, there were thirty-two of such regions.

6. The growth of … is typical both for urban and rural population (городское и сельское население) of Russia, but in the cities that problem manifests itself much more.

7. A large drug market, … of the country for transit of drugs contribute to the growth of drug smuggling.

8. Now Russia is a target for expansion for international … .

9. Couriers and petty dealers are usually driven not only by the desire of … but also by difficult material condition.

10. The reduced spirituality in the Russian society, … spreading among youth and some other facts promote further narcotisation of Russia.