Connect
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Members of the Urals Regional Association
at a recent conference in Asbest
ISAAC facilitates the development of peer support networks for people who are involved in addiction-related work, to encourage co-operation and the sharing of resources, training & expertise.

The Urals region of Russia is a good example of how mutually supportive ISAAC networks have developed regionally.
 
ISAAC has been developing relationships with drug rehab centres in the Urals for a number of years. The first regional conference for rehab centres in the Urals was facilitated by ISAAC in July 2003. This gathering enabled centre leaders to build relationships and begin working in collaboration with one another. The following year, at a second ISAAC-sponsored conference, 12 rehab centres in the Urals formed a regional network in order to connect, encourage and equip one another.
 
In the meantime, ISAAC developed a regional partnership with Tearfund, who agreed to support HIV and AIDS training conferences in the Urals and three other Russian regions. As a result of these partnerships and training opportunities, one rehab centre gained funding from Tearfund to develop its own support programme for families affected by HIV and AIDS.

A recent visit to rehab centres in the Urals demonstrated how the centres are now providing vital support and encouragement for one another. The wife of one centre leader died very suddenly, leaving the leader with a small child to look after. Another centre was able to make a gift of some money to help them survive in the initial period after this tragic event, and also sent some staff to support the work in the longer term.
 
ISAAC is facilitating the development of similar support networks in many locations such as Ukraine, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Brazil, Zambia, Kenya and Australia.

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