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The vicious neglect of this epidemic by the Russian govt is NO indication of the capacity of Russians to implement solutions. There are so many Russians working in public health, HIV/Hep C and drug treatment who know exactly what is needed and how to do the work. I have met them. They have participated in excellent efforts all over their country. The blame for this neglect lies squarely with national bosses like Putin and Medvedev, and local bosses like Luzhkov. Although the impact of this epidemic will be long-lasting, the actual rates of infection among drug injectors could be reversed quickly, largely because drug injectors all over the world have succeeded in stopping this epidemic when the barriers are removed from the resources they need.