The problems of drug addiction and HIV/AIDS, closely related to each other, are widespread throughout the world, and are increasing in many countries.  These projects, which started in 2003, took place in two clinics in St. Petersburg , Russia : a drug addiction recovery clinic and an HIV/AIDS clinic.  In both, young adult participants made masks, photodiaries, and spoke on video about their experiences as Russians with addiction and of being a person infected with HIV.  They shared their life stories and their poetry. These stories have been and continue to be exchanged with similar groups in Africa and the USA .