In 2024, Ukraine marks 20 years of the Opioid Substitution Therapy (OST) program. Over these two decades, the program has not only proven its effectiveness but has also become an integral part of the healthcare system. OST helps reduce harm among people who use drugs and serves as a reliable pathway to rehabilitation.

“In the 1990s, drug use and the spread of HIV became a massive problem for Ukraine. It became clear that the old Soviet system of addiction treatment was failing. Soviet drug policy was based on two pillars—punishment and isolation. Our country needed a new approach, one built on support and treatment. This was a historic choice: instead of repression, Ukraine chose human rights, including the right to health,” — Igor Kuzmenko, DUnews.

DUnews, with the support of the Alliance for Public Health, has documented the key milestones of these 20 years to share the story of how the program was established and the lessons learned from implementing the best national OST program in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.

“In the beginning, there was a functioning National Committee on AIDS under the President of Ukraine. This status allowed the Committee to make effective political and executive decisions. Thus, in 1996, taking into account global experience, best practices, and recommendations, the Committee began considering substitution therapy as a treatment for opioid dependence,” — said Sergii Filippovych, Director of #SoS_project 2.0.

“For all these 20 years, Ukraine’s OST program has been a pioneering, leading example for the entire region,” — added Ganna Dovbakh, Executive Director of the Eurasian Harm Reduction Association.

Despite all the challenges, including the war waged by Russia, which seeks to impose its views and denies the effectiveness of OST, Ukraine continues to defend people’s right to access this treatment. The film tells the story of the difficult path the country and the community have taken to ensure OST remains accessible and protected for those who need it.

“Thanks to the opioid substitution therapy program, I have a family, and five years ago, my long-awaited son was born!” — Anton Basenko, Ukraine’s first OST patient.

The documentary features stories of doctors, activists, policymakers, and members of the community of people who use drugs. They share their experiences, challenges, and achievements from 20 years of fighting for the right to effective treatment.

The film is available on the official YouTube channel of Drug Users News.

The film was created by the Drug Users News team with financial support from the International Charitable Foundation “Alliance for Public Health” as part of the #SoS 2.0 project, funded by the Global Fund.