A Master Training Workshop for
Peer Volunteers Lesson Plans (PVLP) was organized from 12-15 October 2006 at Kolkata, India. The participants included representatives of the 8 Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs), Team Leaders of the 6 Partner NGOs of RRTCs East I and II from India and two representatives each from Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Nepal.
Based on the training calendar developed at the Master Training held at Kolkata, India, a national Peer Volunteers Lesson Plans (PVLP) training, was held for partner NGO and other agencies dealing with drugs and HIV in Bhutan from 4-7 June 2007. It was supported by Youth Development Fund (YDF), Bhutan and UNODC
Project H13 and organized at Hotel Dragon Roots, Thimpu, Bhutan.
Altogether there were 22 participants representing various organizations, including the government counterparts from the Bhutan Narcotics Control Agency (BNCA), law enforcement officials, representatives from the national mentor agency YDF and the partner NGO, REWA. Representatives from Gidakom Hospital, which is to be supported by UNODC Project H13 in Phase II, were also present. Other agencies like RENEW, VAST and Bhutan Foundation were also represented.
During the training, keeping in mind the drug use scenario in Bhutan, emphasis was laid upon the Basics of Drugs and HIV, including harms associated with drug use, risk reduction approaches, drug treatment and rehabilitation and relapse prevention strategies.
Participants at PVLP Training, Thimpu, Bhutan (4-7 June 2007).
The duties and responsibilities of staff dealing with drug users were clarified, including tips on how to help the peers to access services, identification of new clients and forming linkages with other service providers and referral networks. The participants were encouraged to come up with solutions based on their experiences working with drug users and share best practices along with others in the group.
Mr. Kinley Dorji, Executive Director, Bhutan Narcotics Control Agency, expressed satisfaction with the training content and urged the trainees to participate wholeheartedly so as to reap the maximal benefits.
List of Participants
Maj. Dorjee Khandu,
Narcotic Drug Unit
Choki,
Bhutan Narcotics Control Agency
Gama Namgyel, Program Officer,
YDF
Ugyen Dorji, Program Manager,
REWA
Nim Dorji, Peer Educator,
REWA
Nima Penjo, Peer Educator,
REWA
Jigdrel Pema Dorji, Outreach Worker,
REWA
Tashi Gyeltshen, Outreach Worker,
REWA
Yeshay Jamtsho, Student,
REWA
Thinley Tashi, Student,
REWA
Tandin Wangdi, Student,
REWA
Sonam Phuntsho, Program Officer,
BhutanFoundation
Karma Rigzin, Head,
Women & Child Protection Unit
Karma Choden, Program Officer,
RENEW
Tshering Wangmo, Program Officer,
RENEW
P. L. Sharma, Teacher,
Dechencholing MSS
Chandra Pradhan, Teacher,
Education MHSS
Pema Choden, School Counselor,
Phunseling MSS
Tshering Dema, Teacher,
Lungten Zampa MSS
Karma Dema, Tech Nurse,
GidakomHospital
Usyem, Ward Assistant,
GidakomHospital
Thinley Dem, Student,
Vast
Participant's Feedback
"The training has provided us with comprehensive information on several issues related to drug use. I now feel quite responsible, that I have to go back and share the knowledge with others. I may not make a big difference, but atleast I will contribute, in a small way, to people immediate to me and to society at a large".
