Drug and alcohol user treatment/intervention services in Russia--a Western perspective

This paper reviews the state of drug and alcohol treatment/intervention services in Russia. The background and the development of addiction services in Russia is described, and the current problems of alcohol and particularly drug misuse are discussed. Current methods of treatment are considered, in the context of a description of the addiction services in St. Petersburg. Some of the issues facing the authorities are discussed: poor training in addiction, the low status of the speciality, overmedicalization of treatment, and the absence of any community-based services. The lack of any harm reduction policies or practice is noted.