Igor Tereshenko, 24, Dmitry Smirnov, 34, and Alexey Smirnov, 26, (not related) all saw their lives
fall apart after alcohol and drug abuse killed their friends, made them drop out of school and work and infected them with HIV. All three began antiretroviral treatment very late.
Alexey died from alcohol intoxication six weeks after starting treatment. "Nobody was interested in his life, his health and his well-being,” said his doctor. "I think Alexey died because he was too depressed. He had no life in his eyes. I think life had lost meaning for him."