Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign is often called the "dry law".This term implies a ban (total or partial) sale of substances containing ethanol in large quantities.The exceptions are considered substances for medical, industrial and other similar purposes.Also, do not fall under the prohibition of drugs with a low alcohol content, such as cough syrups.
campaign in the USSR in 1985 was not the first, but she remembered all through its duration.How effective has the government can learn from the article.
anti-alcohol campaign in the USSR
In the history of the Soviet Union the "dry law" was set several times.We took him over the years:
- 1918-1923;
- 1929;
- 1958;
- 1972;
- 1985-1990.
Why did Gorbachev's anti-alcohol company has become a symbol of its era of stagnation?First of all, it is connected with a noticeable shortage of consumer goods, including food.The ban on alcohol has further deteriorated psychological condition of the people.However, this decision by the government demanded that the circumstances that have developed by this time.
Background Campaign 1985
Before the start of the campaign have been studies that have revealed catastrophic for the country figures.By 1984, the consumption of alcohol exceeded 10 liters per person, while even in pre-revolutionary Russia did not exceed 5 liters.Translated into containers turned on 90-100 bottles of alcohol for every adult man per year.Under the implied alcohol vodka, beer, wine, moonshine.
initiators of the introduction of the "dry law" became MS Solomentsev, EKLigachev.They, like Yuri Andropov, were convinced that the reason for the stagnation of the economy is a massive alcoholism.This is where the members of the Politburo saw a general decline of moral and ethical values, as well as neglect of people to work.
Gorbachev's anti-alcohol campaign had a huge scale.For the sake of the fight against drunkenness government decided to reduce its revenues from sales of alcoholic beverages.
What does the law
1985 Act came into force on 05.17.1985.The people Gorbachev's anti-alcohol company, as mentioned earlier, was called "dry law".
The project involved the implementation of the following program:
- ban vodka sales in all food service (except were restaurants), which were located at stations, near-station airport.Also stipulates the inadmissibility of the sale of vodka near the industrial enterprises of all types of schools, hospitals, places of public recreation.
- liquor was sold only in specialty stores or departments.However, their number was determined by the officials themselves on the ground.
- ban the sale of alcohol to persons under 21 years.
- permitted implementation was limited in time.Alcohol can be purchased from 14 to 19 o'clock.
- estimated annual cut production of alcoholic beverages.By 1988, it was planned to cease production of wine.
- in theater, film, television, radio broadcasting was forbidden to promote the drink.
- executives and members of the party were forbidden to abuse alcohol under the threat of expulsion from the Communist Party.
statistics
its positive and negative sides had anti-alcohol company Gorbachev.Year it began - in 1985, and by 1988 was collected following statistical information.
| Official data | |
| Positive changes | negative impact |
| alcohol consumption declined to 4.8 liters per person per year. | vodka production has decreased by more than 700 million liters, which led to the use of substandard products in human beings.An increasing number of poisonings, some of them were fatal. |
| increase fertility: an average of 400 thousand children a year more than before the "dry law". | The number of self-racers. |
| men began to live an average of 63 years. | million tons of sugar left on the production of moonshine. |
| Decreased crime by 70%, reduced the number of injuries.Increased productivity, reduced absenteeism. | Due to the reduction of the production of beer, many breweries were closed. |
| The savings bank was set to 45 billion rubles more. | The proportion of alcohol smuggling, organized crime began to develop. |
Opponents of the campaign and their arguments
representatives of one of the research centers present their arguments to cast doubt on the positive thoughts about alcohol companies.When Gorbachev was created by artificial shortage.The people made up for it completely homemade liquor.Therefore, the statistics do not reflect the actual performance.
As for the increase in the birth rate, it is more associated with the general emotional background of the rise in the restructuring, which promises to change people's lives for the better.
serious problem in these years became an addiction and substance abuse.Some people moved from deficit to alcohol more dangerous drugs.Mortality from cardiovascular disease is really reduced, but increased the number of deaths from drug use.
Among the opponents have a lot of those who believe that the actions of the "dry law" did not save the country from drunkenness, and weaned from the use of good, high-quality beverages.
Supporters of the "dry law»
reader already knows what year, Gorbachev had anti-alcohol campaign.It was with the introduction of the "dry law", many doctors began to celebrate the decline in the number of injuries and fractures, which often happens to people, is in a state of intoxication.
Even before the adoption of the Law Society created to combat drunkenness.People who organize them, actually propagate their ideas.They did it voluntarily, understanding the danger of total drunkenness country.The ambiguous position of the members of the Politburo hampered campaign carried out actions that embittered people, caused a negative campaign as a whole.
myth about cutting down vineyards
Over time, Mikhail Gorbachev admitted mistakes.According to anti-alcohol campaign and fundamental aspects of its implementation, it not all was smooth, but many times people were only speculation.The real "duck" has information about the total cutting vines.Approximate these issues assure people that it really was made, but only to get rid of old and wild vines.
largely ruined the reputation of the anti-alcohol campaign and the officials who took unpopular measures on the ground.For example, in many cities shut down once a large number of distilleries outlets.In addition to all the stamps were invented vodka and commissioning permission to sell in one hand only one bottle.Gorbachev did not sign the document, providing such measures.
Folding campaign
Mass discontent "dry law" began two years after its introduction.Although the abolition of all decrees occurred only in 1990, already in 1987, alcohol sales began to increase, and the active promotion of sobriety stopped.
In today's Russia, Gorbachev acknowledged the error in the anti-alcohol campaign.Once he said that because of the blunders committed a good deal ended ingloriously.
Such actions of the government should be phased.For the successful completion would grow the next generation of ideas sobriety.Too fast and aggressive actions by the authorities from both above and in the field have led to a negative attitude to the campaign as a whole, causing a feeling of disgust the people, and therefore did not lead to positive results.
