This project examines effective models of programs addressing the issue of drug addiction in Russian street youth, focusing on three cities: Moscow, Irkutsk (Siberia), and St. Petersburg. HIV/AIDS is a growing problem in Russia, especially amongthis sub-population of drug-addicted street youth. This population comprises true orphans, without a living family and social orphans, who choose to live on the street.
The United Nations estimates there are as many as 80,000 children that will spend some, if not all, of their time on Saint Petersburg's streets and similar figures are estimated for Moscow. With its proximity to sources of drugs from Central Asia, youth in Irkutsk live within close proximity to Central Asian countries, the source of much of Russia's supply of illicit drugs.
The researcher completed site visits to projects run by non-governmental organizations (NGOs), government-run programs, as well as joint efforts. NGOs visites include Humanitarian Action, a St. Petersburg-based organization focusing on HIV/AIDS and drug prevention programs, the Association of Experts on Problems with Children, a Moscow-based NGO focusing on drug prevention and rehabilitation programs, the Irkutsk branch of the Red Cross, and Doctors of the World. Projects visited include a State Rehabilitation Center for the city of Moscow, a St. Petersburg State Drop-In Center, as well as a St. Petersburg State-run social apartment program.
While illuminating several important models of drug prevention and rehabilitation programs in Russia, the research process brought out larger concerns about public health in Russia. Similar to America, Russia's many regions vary in the degree of attention and money placed into healthcare. This was supported by the research, which showed much variation in approaches to drug prevention and rehabilitation programs in the three regions visited. Laws regulating NGOs add further variability to the state of public health in Russia. Despite the recent formation of a Russian Public Chamber, with the responsibility of giving grants to select NGOs, a majority of NGOs in Russia rely upon funding from international donors and governments. The strict rules and regulations monitoring NGOs, including a new re-registration policy, have been condemned by the international community as well as by human rights organizations. These types of challenges to NGOs point to a need for further engagement by the Russian government on social problems, like drug addiction and HIV/AIDS prevention, as well as further cooperation between government and NGOs in order to address pressing issues in public health.
This research presents several successful models of drug prevention and rehabilitation programs, focusing on the successes of NGO and governmental cooperation on projects in St. Petersburg. The problem of drug addiction needs to be addressed differently in each region, working within the unique political framework of the region and in collaboration with local government, but also looking towards progressive models, such as in St. Petersburg.