The Andrey Rylkov Foundation
biruzova 17-82
Moscow,
Europe
123060
Russia
+79268708518
http://www.rylkov-fond.org
Tatiana Ivanova, Anna Sarang
ARF is a grass-roots organization with a mission to promote and develop humane drug policy based on tolerance, protection of health, dignity and human rights. We use 4 key strategies: advocacy, human rights watchdog, service provision and capacity-building of affected communities.
ARF advocates for the introduction of the evidence-based opioid substitution treatment (OST) of drug dependency in spite of a federal ban in Russia on using it. Despite Moscow government's opposition to needle and syringe programs (NSPs), ARF continues to provide health services to drug users in the Russian capital. Both OST and NSPs are promoted by the World Health Organization as the most powerful tools to halt the HIV epidemic and ensure due adherence to HIV and tuberculosis treatment for drug users - the main group affected by HIV and stigma in Russia. Advocacy and implementation of these programs in a politically-challenging environment in Russia speaks to our commitment to advancing the health and human rights of drug users. ARF monitors and reports cases of rights violations by engaging in a number of national and international human rights mechanisms. We also provide direct assistance to people affected by drugs and HIV in Russia - helping to solve their health and social problems and protecting their human rights. Because we have only four regular staff members, we rely heavily on the volunteer support of the affected communities: all our projects are community driven and led by inspiring activists and people deeply committed to alleviating suffering and improving the quality of life of people affected by drug policies and the HIV epidemic in Russia.
