Healthy Russia Visits SSTAR

Recently, SSTAR received a visitor from the Healthy Russia Foundation. Mr. Sergei Frolov is an Assistant Director of the Foundation and responsible for substance abuse services within the Foundation.

Nancy Paull, CEO of SSTAR, had been in Russia in June at the request of the SAMHSA to do site visits of two of the organizations that US AID funds through the Healthy Russia Foundation; who in turn subcontracts the dollars to local treatment agencies.

Nancy learned that Russia typically funds the highest level of care, such as overdose services, detox and residential levels of care, with not much funding for outpatient care. Specialized services to women are not typically offered as well.

Sergei visited SSTAR to exam how our system of care works, and to see if any of the services or practices can be implemented or adapted to the Russian organizations.

Nancy will be going back to Orenberg Russia, to do a three-day training on quality improvement (NIATx) and an introduction to women’s treatment.