Peer-to-Peer Program (“Rovesnik”), St. Petersburg

The Pendill Fund is providing support to St. Petersburg's growing youth volunteer movement, organized to provide Peer to Peer (“Rovesnik”) counseling to prevent drug addiction. The basis of the peer counseling program is to affect attitudinal change towards drug addiction and other negative life styles, rather than trying to change the actual behaviors of young people.

The Peer to Peer program was born as a result of a study conducted in St. Petersburg, Russia among 10,000 young people ranging in age from 14 to 20 years. The program involves young people working together in discussion groups on topics important to this generation, in a language peers understand, including a focus on various addictions. Volunteers undergo special training conducted by psychologists and program coordinators, using for example, theatre arts to write and stage scenarios on teen topics, including drug use and life style choices. In turn, the peer volunteers conduct seminars and training sessions in schools, orphanages, special needs high schools and teen clubs. Much like the Podval Center, the main purpose of the Peer to Peer program is the prevention of drug addiction and HIV/AIDS spread by promoting a healthy attitude on life, life styles, and responsible behavior.

Peer to Peer has opened a hot line for callers to ask any questions dealing with drug addiction.