GOVT SETS UP FEDERAL EXTRA-BUDGETARY DRUG CONTROL FUND.

MOSCOW, May 25 (Itar-Tass) - The Russian government set up a federal
extra-budgetary fund to counter illegal drug trafficking and psychotropic
substance abuse. The cabinet approved the Fund Regulations, reported the
government information directorate on Monday evening. An appropriate
government decision was signed by Prime Minister Sergei Stepashin.

The federal extra-budgetary fund was set up to finance additional measures
to fight illegal trafficking of drugs, substances and their precursors as
well as to consolidate the material and technical facilities of law
enforcement and other bodies which carry out this activity.

The Fund Regulations determine the procedure of forming fund resources.
They are formed from voluntary contributions, charity donations of firms,
offices, organisations, nongovernment associations and individual citizens
as well as cash contributions from foreign legal persons and citizens. It
may include other receipts in compliance with Russian legislation.

The Regulations also spell out the procedure for using fund resources.
Money will be channeled, above all, for additional funding of
purpose-oriented programs and measures to combat illegal trafficking of
drugs, psychotropic substances and their precursors.

Fund resources will help to carry out measures to fight drug addiction.