Sergey Mironov visited the Krutitsky Monastery

July 18. Chairman of the Council of Federation Sergey Mironov visited St. Ioann Kronshtadski Orthodox Center of Spiritual Rebirth on the territory of the Krutitsy Monastery.

According to the Center’s director Hieromonach Anatoli, the Orthodox Center of Spiritual Rebirth, set up by the decree of His Holiness Patriarch Alexii II of Moscow and All Russia eight years ago, works for rehabilitation of young people from drug and alcohol addiction. It also rehabilitates victims of religious sects and occultism.

The Federation Council Chairman visited cabinets of doctors, publishing room, learned about the lines of the Center’s activity. Apart from its main work – rehabilitation of alcoholics and drug-addicts – the Center also specializes on treating other kinds of dependencies, works with homeless and neglected children, is engaged in publishing activity, cooperates with educational organizations.

Hieromonach Anatoli stressed that the key approach in curing such diseases is spiritual guidance. Professional doctors, psychotherapists and priests are involved into treatment of the Center’s patients’. He also told Sergey Mironov that over 20 thousands of Russians have already suffered from various pseudo-religious sects. Their rehabilitation can take years.

About 4.000 drug-addicts and 1.000 alcoholics underwent treatment in Krutitsy Monastery. Currently the Center is preparing for all-Russia conference “National sphere of responsibility: authorities, business, society against drug abuse in Russia”.

According to Hieromonach Anatoli, it is planned to create similar treatment center in Lublino (district in the south of Moscow). The government has already provided a building but there is no money for the remaining needs. Sergey Mironov agreed that this initiative is really a “holy deed” and promised that the Council of Federation will support it.

After the visit Federation Council Speaker answered questions of journalists and drew their attention to the fact that the Center of Spiritual Rebirth has an incredible recovery rate – 85%, while in standard medical centers – only 5%.

Sergey Mironov stressed that the country’s future directly depends on the health of its youth and the Federation Council will provide all possible support to anti-drug and anti-alcohol initiatives.

“Drug addiction is Russia’s big disaster, and it’s a real threat”, - Chairman of the Council of Federation said bitterly. - It is necessary to introduce life imprisonment for drug trafficking, without going into details: who, how many, where and why”.

Among key anti-drug activities Sergey Mironov called obligatory treatment of drug-addicts and restraining drug inflow to Russia, especially through southern borders.

“Now and then anti-drug events and activities are held, but there is still no any consistent program”, - Sergey Mironov remarked, mentioning that unfortunately sometimes even policemen are involved in drug trafficking.