Training of Drug Dependence Treatment Practitioners on the Basic Level of Universal Treatment Curriculums 1 & 2

Lahore - Karachi, 28 August - 5 September 2018 

UNODC Country Office Pakistan successfully conducted trainings in Lahore and Karachi from 28 August to 5 th September 2018. The objective of the training was to train 100 drug dependence treatment practitioners on the Basic Level of Universal Treatment Curriculums (UTC) 1-8, including 4A and then to have a cadre of 44 Pakistan National Trainers on Basic Level UTC (1-8) and to support credentialing by International Centre for Credentialing and Education of Addiction Professionals (ICCE) through Training of Trainers (ToT). These training will be completed by January 2019 and followed up by a refresher course leading to certification to "International Certified Addiction Professional" (ICAP). The successful candidates will be able to attend ToT, to increase and strengthen the services on drug dependence treatment in the country.

A total of 37 participants attended the 2 trainings in Lahore from Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and AJK, couple of last minute cancelation were also there. The training in Karachi was attended by 28 drug treatment professionals from Sindh and Baluchistan.  

These trainings were planned with the coordination of the Universal Training Curriculum (UTC) selection committee comprised of representatives from Ministry of Narcotics Control (MNC), Anti Narcotics Force (ANF), Capital Administration and Development Division (CADD), Health and UNODC.

The trainings were interactive using adult learning methodology. It was a learners centre approach, utilizing various tools group work, brain storming, question answer sessions, pair work, role plays, reflective practice and energizers by the trainers as mentioned in the manual. A special care was given to the fidelity in line with training manual and feedback was also given as per need by the

The training evaluation was conducted at various levels by including a pre-post evaluation questionnaire prepared by UNODC Monitoring and Evaluation Unit  with the help of the trainers for each group to assess the knowledge of the participants; and evaluation at different levels by the trainers.

After completing UTC 1&2 all participants will be offered the nearest (geographical location) training location out of Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for the rest of UTC trainings.

 

Background

Since 2010, the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) has supported the development of the global training series appropriate for the certification of addiction professionals in the South Asia region. The overall goal of the training series has been to reduce the significant health, social, and economic problems associated with substance use disorders (SUDs) by building international treatment capacity through training, professionalizing, and expanding the global treatment workforce. The training prepares counselors and other health providers for professional certification at the entry level, by providing the latest information about SUDs and their treatment.

The current 2 years project is supported by the Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).