Trying to stay sober in Russia

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Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has called alcoholism a “national disaster” in Russia. Jessica Golloher takes a look at why it’s so tough to stay sober in the former Soviet Union. Download MP3
Photos: Head to a Russian house party

Alcoholism a ‘national disaster’ in Russia

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You might say it’s no country for old men. Russia, that is. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russians have been increasingly ravaged by disease and death. And one of the main reasons is the nation’s favorite drink. There’s so much vodka going down the throats of so many Russians, life expectancy for men has fallen to just 60 years old – about the same as in Myanmar and Haiti. The World’s Laura Lynch ventured out to the Russian countryside to find the roots of the country’s troubles with alcohol. Download MP3

• Russia’s minimum vodka price to tackle alcoholism
• Trying to break Russia’s vodka dependence