Substance misuse problems in Russia

Abstract

We visited St Petersburg in the autumn of 1999 as the guests of Professor Leonid Shpilenya, Director of the city's addiction services, and Dr Olga Khvognova, Director of Nurse Training, College Number Three. This was part of an exchange programme financed by the Know How Fund – Health Sector Small Partnerships Scheme (Russia). Two of the authors (P.F. & A.G.) have been involved in these exchanges for a number of years. The current project is a joint one, involving medical and nursing staff (Green et al, 2000).