This new documentary film presents the history of 20 years of opioid substitution therapy in Ukraine, from the 1990s of the 20th century to the present day. This is a story of success and confirmation of the importance of OST programs as an effective tool for harm reduction for the community of people who use drugs.
In 2024, the opioid substitution therapy (OST) program in Ukraine celebrates its 20th anniversary. During these years, a lot of experience has been accumulated and a lot of evidence has been collected to confirm the effectiveness of this program, mechanisms have been developed to solve problems and overcome obstacles that Ukraine has faced over the years. All of this can be very useful for other countries using OST.
Opioid substitution therapy (OST) is a thoroughly researched and evidence-based medical intervention for the treatment of opioid dependence. Research to date in the field of opioid dependence treatment proves that OST combined with psychological support provides the best results in terms of reducing the frequency of illegal drug use and injecting, as well as reducing criminal behavior and improving social adaptation.
In the countries of the former USSR, opioid substitution therapy was first introduced in Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia (1996-1997). To date, this type of therapy has been implemented in all countries of the former USSR except Russia, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
The first pilot project in Ukraine was launched in 2004. In 2024 the OST program in this country turns 20 years old. Today Ukraine is in a state of war, which Russia has unleashed on its territory. One of the reasons for this war is Russia’s desire to impose its values on neighboring independent countries, including with regard to OST. Russia categorically denies the practical use of OST drugs and persecutes supporters of this program. Thus, today Ukraine is not only protecting its territorial integrity, but also OST programs and their participants’ right to receive this treatment.
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The film shows the entire chronology of events related to the introduction and development of opioid substitution therapy in Ukraine, from the 1990s of the 20th century to the present day. This is a story of success and confirmation of the importance of OST programs as an effective tool for harm reduction for the community of people who use drugs. The characters of this film are doctors, politicians, activists from the community of people who use drugs, and others who talk about the emergence of OST programs in Ukraine, their work to promote it, and the current situation with OST programs during the full-scale invasion of Russia.
We express our deep gratitude to all those who pioneered the introduction of OST in Ukraine, to all those who have given and continue to give their best to improve programs today, during the hours of war and for the future.
Dedicated to the community of people who use drugs and all those who make their lives better.
The film was created with financial support of the Alliance for Public Health under the #SoS 2.0 project.
The film was produced by DUNews, Igor Kuzmenko and Sasha Levin.
