In Brazil, Senad Launches Regional Centers of References in crack and other drugs

February 18, 2011 - The federal government has initiated, on Thursday the 17th, the deployment of the Regional Reference Centres (CRR) in Crack and Other Drugs, during a seminar held at the Presidential Palace, which brought together the president, Dilma Rousseff, the Ministers of Justice, José Eduardo Cardozo, Health, Alexandre Padilha, Social Development and Hunger Alleviation, Tereza Campello, and Education, Fernando Haddad, and deans and professors from 49 federal and state universities that will become Regional Reference Centers (CRR) in Crack and Other Drugs.

According to Dilma Rousseff, the federal government will make a systematic assault against crack in a fight against drugs. "I have a commitment to the people of my country to lead a relentless fight against crack, particularly because, given the characteristics of our youth, we know that this is a drug that has a very high capacity to spread," said Rousseff.

The meeting was held to discuss the contents of the four courses to be offered in these institutions, to present the evaluation process to which institutions of higher education (IHE) will be submitted, and to establish a closer contact between partners.

The Regional Reference Centers will be training 14,700 professionals by the end of the year. The courses are based on management and treatment protocol, defined by the World Health professionals and will be submitted directly by local health managers that will undergo training courses with specific managing user's situation on drug addicts. Classes are scheduled to start in March.

The Centers are an initiative under the Comprehensive Plan to Combat Crack and Other Drugs, released in 2010. The purpose is to promote permanent training and qualification of the professionals engaged in the networks of comprehensive health care and social assistance, working with both users of crack and other drugs, and their families.

The federal fund is up to USD$ 180,000 per project, to be applied in the training of 300 professionals. After 12 months, 14,700 professionals will be trained in 884 cities in 19 states. The funds come from the Comprehensive Plan to Combat Drugs and Crack and a part of the budget of the National Anti-Drug (FUNAD) of Senad.

Courses that will be offered:

• Training in Crack and Other Drugs to Doctors working with Family Health Program (PSF) and the Center for Family Health Care (NASF);

• Update on Comprehensive Care for Users of Crack and Other Drugs for professionals working in general hospitals;

• Update on a Brief Intervention and Motivational Advice on Crack and other drugs for Community Health and Harm Reduction Agents and Social Offices professionals who work in the Street;

• Update on Cases of Management and Social Reintegration of Crack Users and Other Drugs for Professionals Network NHS and HIS.

Source: Ascom - Ministry of Justice

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