Yeah Tim they DO drink HARD.
You didn’t answer my questions though.
Oh.. sorry, I thought the questions were rhetorical...
There is no doubt that Russia is suffering mightily due to their excessive drinking. Your questions hit at the main issues.
I can say this though... they do seem to be drinking slightly less now than in past years. At least, now.. vodka has become illegal to possess inside the chemical complexes I visit. 8 years ago, I had vodka toasts in the plant manager's office.
Still though, just 6 months ago, a random man sitting next to me on an airplane became angry with me when I wouldn't share a morning brandy with him at 8 am. yuk...