13887. CULTURAL DIFFERENCES IN ATTITUDES TOWARDS ALCOHOLISM: THE U.S. AND THE FORMER SOVIET UNION. Compares and contrasts the public perception and social policies towards alcoholism in the United States and the former Soviet Union. Argues that the Soviets' traditional approach to alcoholism was that it was a "social problem" amenable to treatment with social/political policies such as taxes, restrictions in production, and education. Attempts in the 1980's to limit production proved fruitless because of the Soviet public's attitude towards drinking as a "right." Notes that the Soviets began moving towards a U.S.-style medical model of alcoholism in the late 1980's. 10 pages, 26 footnotes, 11 bibliographic sources.