This thesis examines the Soviet AIDS epidemic as a social and political crisis rather than solely a medical one. Through newspapers, diaries, and government documents, the research reveals how AIDS contributed to growing public distrust in Soviet institutions and became part of the broader crises preceding the collapse of the Soviet Union.

This research examines harm reduction practices and their limitations within systems of prohibition. While designed to support people without judgment, institutional rules and boundaries restrict access. Case studies reveal how these constraints can increase risks, including overdose, highlighting a gap between harm reduction philosophy and real-world implementation.