Only legal methods of drug addiction treatment are acceptable in Russia and no one has the right to forget about this, Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said on Thursday.

"Of course, we should fight drug addiction. But this should be done within the limits of law. We can't allow anybody to deprive people of their freedom," the premier said at his annual Q&A session.

Putin cited the case of Yegor Bychkov, the director of an anti-narcotics clinic in the Urals who was given a 30-month suspended sentence for using "forceful methods" when treating his patients, including restraining them to their beds.

Most drug addicts slip back into dependency after undergoing treatment in Russia's clinics, according to statistics.

Around 30,000 Russians die from drug abuse every year.

MOSCOW, December 16 (RIA Novosti)