The purpose of the work: to analyze the Strategy of the state anti-drug policy of the Russian Federation and the practice of applying Article 82.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation in the context of applying a deferment of sentence for drug addicts. Purpose: to identify significant contradictions between the declared goals of humanizing criminal policy and the actual state of affairs. Research methods: use of the analysis method, formal-legal and technical-legal methods; study of scientific literature. Conclusions: despite the progressive ideas inherent in the concept of deferment of sentences for drug addicts, statistics indicate that the courts have made extremely limited use of this mechanism, which is caused not only by the complexity of the formal criteria established by law, but also by an insufficiently clear understanding by law enforcement officials of the purposes and grounds for choosing this measure. Scientific significance: the problem of implementing the principle of humanism in relation to convicted drug addicts whose sentences have been deferred is revealed. It is emphasized that a comprehensive approach is required to address this issue. The need is noted not only to improve the legislative framework by eliminating existing gaps and inaccuracies, but also to develop a deeper understanding among judges of the goals and objectives of the rehabilitation process, which, in turn, will facilitate the wider application of Article 82.1 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.