"There are positive changes, even if modest. For example, last year, the number of drug addicts grew 0.2% in Russia," Putin said during a Web cast.
Putin said the drug abuse growth rates had been higher in Russia in the previous years.
"The number of drug users increased by almost 15 times from the late 1980s to the mid-1990s and 2000," Putin said.
The Russian president said six million people were using drugs on an intermittent basis, according to various estimates.
"But this way or another, four million people have had some experience with drugs, have used or distributed them. This is a stable figure," Putin said.
About 340,000 people are registered with the Health Ministry but the ministry's data indicate unregistered drug addicts number 1,800,000 people.
Putin said Russia set up a special commission three years ago to fight the spread of drugs.
"Today the entire law-enforcement system is aimed at fighting drug dealers and drug barons. This is a significant change in the past two years," the president said.
