Articles of Interest

Drug addiction in Russia: Draconian laws instead of help

Sound Familiar? –

Nov. 11, 2019 – The biting cold hits the people who come out of the Moscow subway this evening. It is a 45-minute ride from the city center to Marino, the most populated district of the Russian capital. There seems to be no end to the communist-era apartment buildings.

A minibus is parked not far from the subway station. It bears the acronym ARF, for the Andrey Rylkov Foundation for Health and Social Justice. A man hobbles towards it. There are several boxes of syringes, medicines and disinfectant. “Vanya!” says the social worker, Maxim. “What’s up?” Vanya smiles. “Have you got any clean syringes?” he asks. Maxim starts packing some sanitary products in a bag.

ARF campaigns for the rights of drug addicts and sex workers in Russia. The bus comes to Marino every Tuesday. The rest of the time it goes to other parts of Moscow. Vanya is one of 5 million drug addicts in Russia. “I’ve been coming to the [ARF] bus for years. People here don’t only do their work. They’re interested in me and help me. I receive support if I need to go to the hospital or if I need a document.”

Full Story @DW

Leonard Buschel

Share
Published by
Leonard Buschel

Recent Posts

Where does that leave marijuana?

TIME WILL TELL – Nov. 11, 2024 - President-elect Donald Trump is expected to come…

2 days ago

Cannabis Use Linked to Epigenetic Changes – Cancer Risk

POT IS SO OBSOLETE – Nov. 15, 2024 -  Cannabis is a “genotoxic” substance because…

2 days ago

Vending Machines Offer Clean Free Needles and Narcan

NPR AUDIO – STICK WITH THE WINNERS!  – Nov. 14, 2024 - “I don’t shoot…

2 days ago

This Book Will Save Your Life: The New Medical Cure for Opioid Addiction

NEW BOOK! READING MATTERS – Nov. 15, 2024 - “This is a pointed and urgent…

2 days ago

15 Incredible Films With Gut-Wrenchingly Depictions of Alcoholism

DON’T MISS THESE – 2023 - 1. “Barfly” (1987) Directed by Barbet Schroeder and based…

2 days ago

My Mom Said 1 Word On Her Deathbed That Made Me Look At My Life In A Different Way

NOT WHAT YOU THINK – Nov. 9, 2024 - She reached out her other hand…

2 days ago