Citizens of Nizhny Novgorod can denounce illicit drug promotion through a chatbot.
Here's a fresh take:
Tackling the Problem, One Message at a TimeMay 1, 2025, 15:47
Drug Ad Busting, Russian StyleNow, the residents of Nizhny Novgorod can fight back against illegal drug advertisements on building walls, with the help of a chatbot named @stop_narkotiki_nn_bot. Say goodbye to those pesky drug promotions!
To utilize this 24/7 snitch-bot, simply enter its identifier in the Telegram messenger search, or scan the QR code to find it. No more sleepless nights scrolling past drug-pushing graffiti!
Alexei Kaskhanov, the head honcho at the city department, announced that the city is actively working on detecting and painting over drug-themed content on building facades and structures. "Back in 2017, we launched a 24/7 hotline," said Kaskhanov, "Citizens can report illegal drug activity, and even attach photos or videos. Last year, we received 41 reports, and this year, it's already 16. That's progress, baby!"
But if phone calls and photos aren't your jam, you can always drop a line on the official city administration website: nizhniynovgorod.rf - "City" - "Population Safety" - "Counteracting Drug Abuse and Illegal Trafficking."
Illegal advertisements are also discovered during inspections. And when they are, information is sent to law enforcement and administrative services to make sure they get stomped out, pronto. In the first quarter of 2025, 490 inscriptions were removed compared to nearly 2,000 last year.
The "Tima - Conscious Graffiti" project is joining the fight too, with their troops of locals, removing over 500 inscriptions promoting banned substances in just one year. Over 350 students, school kids, and young families in Nizhny took part in the graffiti raids.
The city is also working on speeding up the process of removing inscriptions even faster. So if you spot something dodgy, don't hesitate to report it—fortune favors the bold!
Of course, the fight against drugs won't be won overnight, but every little bit helps, so get those fingers moving, and let's take back our streets!
- By 2025, Nizhny Novgorod is embracing technology to combat drug advertisements. A chatbot named @stop_narkotiki_nn_bot is now available, helping residents report such advertisements sent via Telegram messenger or QR code.
- As progress continues, the city is actively working on detecting and painting over drug-themed content on building facades, with reports increasing from 41 in 2017 to 16 this year.
- In addition to this, the "Tima - Conscious Graffiti" project engages local volunteers in the removal of inscriptions promoting banned substances, achieving the removal of over 500 inscriptions in a year.
- Furthermore, the city administration is working on facilitating faster execution of inscription removals, encouraging every citizen to report any suspicious content to help in the overall pursuit of health and mental well-being.
