The death rate from homicides in Russia, from 1985 to 1995, also increased directly with alcohol consumption rates. Homicide rates were ten times higher than the French levels in 1970s and 1980s (Shkolnikov, 1995). Homicides were fifty times higher in 1993, following the precipitous drop in living standards, disorganization of basic public services, and the crime wave which swept Russia after price deregulation and other sudden economic policy changes initiated in January, 1992.