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The Rebirth Center – an innovative alcohol prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation project between La Crosse, Wisconsin, USA and Dubna, Russia (1996 – present)
Goal: To reduce the incidence and negative effects of alcoholism in Dubna, Russia; to provide prevention strategies, treatment methods, and rehabilitation to those suffering from alcoholism; to educate the community about the disease of alcoholism.
Major achievements: A number of unprecedented achievements were accomplished through this energetic effort in Russia. They are astounding considering that Russian culture and policies do not promote responsible drinking, contributing to the estimated 600% increase in alcohol consumption over the past 40 years. Following are selected achievements of the alcohol program efforts:
- Prevention, intervention, treatment, and aftercare program instituted in the City of Dubna for alcoholics in December, 1994
- First Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting organized and held in Dubna in December, 1993. This was the first known AA meeting to be held in the Russian Federation (outside Moscow). AA groups have been started by Dubna members in the surrounding cities of Klin, Taldom, Dmitrov, Sergiev Posad, and Zaprudnia, Russia.
- Adoption of City of Dubna policy to restrict alcohol sales after 9:00 PM in liquor stores (1994)
- First Al-Anon meeting organized and held in Dubna in May, 1994. Al-Anon for family and friends of alcoholics has since been established by Dubna members in the cities of Taldom, Klin, Dmitrov, Sergiev Posad, and Zaprudnia, Russia.
- Detoxification beds established in Dubna hospitals to treat alcoholics; rehabilitation sites established for outpatient rehabilitation.
- Hospitalizations for alcohol poisonings significantly decreased from 16 to 4/month in Dubna in a three-year period.
- Establishment of anonymous Hotline for alcoholics and family members of alcoholics established in Dubna (1998); calls dramatically increase in first three months of operation.
- A school based prevention curriculum developed and implemented throughout Dubna schools; Conflictology peer education program has become a model for the entire Moscow Region for excellent prevention education.
Impact: The Substance Abuse Mental Health Division of the U.S. Government has recognized Dubna’s prevention work as a model for schools throughout Russia. The Russian Federation is in the approval process for adopting the substance abuse prevention model for Russian schools.
Additional highlights: Work in alcoholism prevention and treatment has spanned a decade between La Crosse and Dubna. Perhaps the greatest impact has been the attitude change in the community of Dubna - a change from viewing alcoholism as a criminal offense to one of a disease that can be treated - one that affects not only the alcoholic, but his/her family and community. The Dubna Alcohol Program has since been replicated in five cities in Russia and continues today as an admirable model for alcoholism prevention and treatment in Russia. Collaboration for program success has included the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and World Learning, Inc.
Funding: This program was funded by a grant of $475,000 from World Learning, Inc. and partially funded by two $250,000 grants from the International Research Exchange (IREX). Both grants were managed by staff of World Services of La Crosse, Inc.