Programme

Duration: 2 days (26th - 27th June ,2024)

Training Group: EMCDDA  

Training Language: English 

Description:  The course has been designed specifically to provide essential prevention knowledge to decision-, opinion- and policy-makers about the most effective evidence-based prevention interventions and approaches in order to facilitate well-informed choices about funding and implementation priorities.. 

Training objectives:  

1. To provide a concise but informative and practically useful overview on topics including etiology and epidemiology, school-, family-, workplace-, community-, media-based prevention, environmental prevention, advocacy and evaluation. 
2. To interact and build networks with prevention professionals across Europe and internationally. 

Duration: 5 days (From the 24th - 28th of June, 2024)

Trainers: 2 

Training Group: Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (DAP) & The Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organization of American States (OAS) 

Language: English

Description: The Global Forum for Youth Leaders on Drug Use Prevention (GOFORTH) is a gathering of youth ages 20-24 from all over the world to be trained in substance use prevention.  The primary objective of the forum is to build and maintain a youth network in substance use prevention. Young people are provided knowledge of substance use, its effects on young people and the science behind it, and the skills to develop youth-led initiatives in partnership with governments and civil societies. GOFORTH promotes information sharing, and innovative ways and identify strategies that will empower youth leadership in substance use prevention.

Training Objectives: 

1. Help participants understand and recognise the important role they play in establishing and sustaining prevention activities.
2. Provide participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to effectively implement prevention interventions and policies.
3. Facilitate the formulation of appropriate youth-led school-based community-based action plans in substance use prevention.

Selection Criteria: 

• Students
  1. 20 – 24 years
  2. Currently enrolled in or completed one of the following areas of studies, including but not limited to:
     • Behavioural Sciences (Psychology, Counselling, Social Work, etc
     • Journalism and Mass Communication
     • Education
     • Management and related courses
  3. An elected/appointed official of an accredited students’ organisation or body
  4. Experience in volunteerism, substance use prevention, community engagement and social activism preferred

• Young professionals from government, non-governmental sectors, educational institutions, media and related agencies
  1. 20 – 24 years
  2. Minimum high school (equivalent to A levels or grade 12) qualification
  3. Minimum one year experience in substance use prevention field
  4. Experience in volunteerism, substance use prevention, community engagement and social activism preferred

• Additionally, the participants should:
  • Be fluent in English and their national language;
  • Be medically fit;
  • Possess good communication and feedback skills; and
  • Be committed to implement the project upon their return to their country.

For further queries, please contact dichen [dot] choden [at] colombo-plan [dot] org (dichen[dot]choden[at]colombo-plan[dot]org)

Duration: 5 days (from the 24th - 28th of June, 2024)

Trainers: 2

Training Group: Colombo Plan

Training Language: English

Description: This track reviews the science behind effective environment-based prevention interventions and policies – which focus on community-wide strategies to prevent tobacco and alcohol misuse; and illegal drug trafficking and use in various settings and the methods used to identify and successfully implement these interventions. It also provides experiential learning in planning for and implementing environmental policy changes and other community-wide substance use prevention efforts.

Pre - requisite: The UPC-10: Introduction to the Universal Prevention Curriculum Series for Practitioners is a pre-requisite for participation in this training workshop.

Training Objectives:

1. Increase knowledge about environmental approaches to preventing substance use and related problems.
2. Develop skills to strategically plan and implement environmental interventions.
3. Develop skills for monitoring and evaluation of environmental interventions.
4. Apply course concepts through Interactive group learning and skills.

Duration: Total 5 days (from the 24th - 28th of June, 2024)

Pilot Trainers: 2 

Training Group: Colombo Plan 

Training Language: English 

Description:  Announcing the introduction of a new course specifically for nurses - called the Universal Nurse Addiction Curriculum (UNAC) Series.  There are 27 million nurses working globally, which represents 50% of the global health workforce. Problematic substance use is singularly responsible for contributing to high levels of morbidity and mortality related to non-communicable diseases (NCDs) over any other specific behaviour. Nurses, when trained and supported, can optimize a wider public health demand reduction response framework to problematic substance use. This series of courses has been designed to increase the knowledge, skills and engagement of all nurses in the care of individuals, their families and communities impacted by substance use disorders. The content and methodology of the Universal Nursing Addiction Curriculum (UNAC) training series is designed to ensure that nurses develop a balanced perspective of the principles relating to both the science and art of caring for individuals and their communities affected by problematic substance use. 

This pilot series will be offered in two parts. The first course level 1 will be offered in person at ISSUP Greece. The second course level 2 will be offered online in the autumn of 2024. In this instance, those attending Level 1 at ISSUP Greece are expected to also participate in the Level 2 online course afterwards and will be required to meet Level 2 requirements. Thus, this course is only open to nurses working directly in addiction treatment services/centers. 

Specific requirements are below:

  Level 1 Pilot Requirements -  

•  Evidence of currently meeting the International Council of Nurses (ICN) definition of a nurse i.e. "The nurse is a person who has completed a program of basic, generalized nursing education and is authorized by the appropriate regulatory authority to practice nursing in his/her country.  

•  Evidence of current clinical experience working in general healthcare settings 

•  Evidence of proficient English Language skills:  IELTS 7.0 qualification (with a minimum of 7 in all sections) or TOEFL 94-101   

    Level 2 Pilot Requirements (additional to level 1 requirements):  

• Completion of Level 1 UNAC (Thessaloniki 2024, June - part 1) 
• Evidence of at least 12 months of continuous clinical practice in an addiction treatment setting   

ISSUP Greece will include a total of 16hrs training over the period of ISSUP Greece but as this is a 'pilot' we will also intersperse the training with the opportunity to assist the developers to refine the content for level 1 and influence the content for level 2.  We will also be introducing a 'mentorship module' alongside the level 1 course which aims to support the course participants in the period between the delivery of the 'in person course' for level 1 and the virtual online course for level 2.   

Duration: 5 days (From the 24th - 28th of June, 2024)

Trainers: 2

Training Group: Colombo Plan

Training Language: English

Description: These three courses of the Women’s Intervention for Substance Exposure : Comprehensive Care for Substance Use Disorder (WISE) aims at addressing the challenges found in treating women for substance use disorders. It aims to increase providers’ capacity to identify, assess and effectively treat women who have substance use disorders; explore the differences in treating men and women, and provide tools to identify, assess, and treat women for substance use disorders.

Pre-requisite: UTC-41: Clinical Care for Women with Substance Use Disorders is a pre-requisite for participation in this training workshop.

Training Objectives:

1. Articulate the elements of trauma-responsive care for women.
2. Identify the elements of attachment-based parenting and how they apply to family-centered care for women and their children.
3. Identify at least three ways substance use disorders affect women across the lifespan and three ways to respond.
4. Articulate the unique considerations, treatment needs, and ways to respond to women with substance use disorders in specialized circumstances.
5. Identify the key aspects to address when creating and implementing a women-responsive substance use disorder treatment model of care.

Duration: 5 days (From the 24th - 28th of June, 2024)

Trainers: 2

Training Group: Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organization of American States (OAS)

Training Language: English

Description: The Curriculum for Treating Adolescents with Substance Use Disorders (SUDs) was developed by the Executive Secretariat of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (ES-CICAD) of the Organization of American States (OAS) for its English-speaking Caribbean member states. In response to increasing concern over the global public health problem of substance use among adolescents, ES-CICAD worked with a panel of international experts from a broad range of specializations to revise, update, and expand the curriculum to serve the global drug treatment workforce working with adolescents in this field.

This Curriculum for Treating Adolescents with SUDs presents an approach to the treatment of adolescents with substance use disorders and addresses the main factors that place them at greater risk and vulnerability than other populations. This six-module program provides adolescent treatment professionals with tools to identify, assess, and treat adolescents through individual, family, and community interventions.

Module 1: Adolescent Development and Substance User

Module 2: Youth Made Vulnerable for Substance Use

Module 3: Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care

Module 4: Screening and Assessment

Module 5: Adolescent and Family Interventions

Module 6: Community Interventions

Duration: 5 days (From the 24th - 28th June, 2024)

Training Group: UNODC and Colombo Plan

Training Language: English

Description: This course, often referred to as “PEER,” provides a brief foundation that defines substance use disorders and recovery, and then provides the needed information about competencies and skills, including awareness of trauma-informed care, self-care, and boundary setting, to work successfully as a recovery support professional. Note: this course is created for those who already are working or want to work as a peer support professional and who are in sustained recovery for a minimum of two years from a substance use disorder. This course is also designed for those whose lives have been seriously impacted, either directly or indirectly, by the behavior of an individual with a substance use disorder and who have embarked on their own journey of recovery as a result. Such persons, which most often includes family members and significant others, are qualified to offer peer recovery support by virtue of their “shared personal experience” with addiction and recovery.

Duration: 5 days (From the 24th - 28th of June, 2024)

Training Group: UNODC and Colombo Plan

Training Language: English

Description: Like the PEER course, the Allies course does not require prerequisite training and is designed to be a stand-alone course so that recovery support professionals can be trained quickly in the field. The Recovery Allies course orients participants through a brief foundation that defines substance use disorders and recovery, and then provides the needed information about competencies and skills, including awareness of trauma-informed care, self-care, and boundary setting, to work successfully as a recovery support professional. Note: this course is created for those with an interest in working as a recovery support professional and who do NOT identify as being in recovery from a substance use disorder.

Duration: 3 days (From the 24th-26th June, 2024)

Training Group: Drug Free America Foundation, Inc.

Trainers: 2

Description:  A transformative training experience that equips participants with invaluable insights to empower their organizations. Dive into a comprehensive exploration of the key components and benefits of a drug-free workplace program. Our session goes beyond theory, providing practical steps and strategies to not only establish but also elevate your organization's commitment to a healthier, more vibrant work environment. Armed with this knowledge, attendees will confidently initiate informed discussions with management, supervisors, and fellow colleagues, fostering a workplace culture that thrives on well-being and productivity.

Training Goals: 

1. Describe the drug problem – globally and locally.
2. Explain how a DFWP complements other prevention efforts.
3. Identify the components of a DFWP.
4. Engage businesses and community leaders in efforts to implement DFWP.
5. Network with others engaged in establishing DFWP programs.

Duration: 3 days (From the 24th - 26th June, 2024)

Training Group: EU- Dap faculty

Training Language: English

Description: Unplugged is an evidence-based program with twelve sessions to prevent the use of tobacco, alcohol and other drugs by 10-14-year-old children. It has been developed and evaluated by the EU-Dap (Drug Abuse Prevention) trial group in seven European countries. In addition, it has been adapted and introduced in several other parts of the world outside the EU, including in Arabic-speaking countries, Latin America, Nigeria, Russia and Kyrgyzstan. It is currently being applied in more than thirty countries worldwide.

EU-Dap developed a 3-day training module for the teachers. Besides introducing the background and structure of the lessons, the training focuses on attitudes and methodology necessary to work with the life skills and comprehensive social influence model. The training is not only instructive but also highly interactive, and the participants are given the opportunity to practice parts of UNPLUGGED lessons and activities.

This training is open for:

• teachers with an interest in school-based prevention
• decision makers on school-based prevention to get a sense of the program (local, regional, national)
• prevention professionals in the prevention support system looking to get to know the program, and the project possibilities and improve their skill set

Training objectives:

1. Understand the comprehensive social influence model of Unplugged
2. Practice on quality implementation of Unplugged lessons
3. Discuss implementation issues and support

Title:  Policy Makers Training on the Nature, Prevention and Treatment of Drug Use Disorders 

Duration: 3 days (closed training)

Trainers: 2

Training Group: UNODC

Training Language: English

Description:  The UNODC Policymakers Training Package on the Nature, Prevention, and Treatment of Drug Use Disorders was developed in 2016, as part of UNODC's work in supporting Member States in their efforts to create humane, effective and evidence-based drug use prevention and drug dependence treatment and care services.

Training objectives:

This tool aims at supporting Member States in developing appropriate policies, strategies, programmes and interventions targeted at preventing drug use and increasing the availability of and access to comprehensive systems of care for people affected by drug use and drug use disorders. The ultimate goal of this initiative is to contribute to the efforts of Member States in building a health and human-rights-oriented response to the problem of drugs and to reduce the burden caused by associated health and social consequences.

Duration: 5 days

Trainers: 2 (English track) and 2 (Russian track)

Training Group: CADCA 

Description:  CADCA’s Training of Trainers (TOT) is designed to equip representatives from select countries with the skills, knowledge, and tools necessary to become effective Coalition Development Training (CDT) trainers in their respective countries. This TOT event kicks off a 2-year process to certify trainers from countries in the eastern hemisphere. This 5-day training provides a structured and interactive learning experience that includes a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical exercises, and peer-to-peer interaction necessary to train CADCA’s CDT curriculum. The TOT training focuses not only on the subject matter itself but also on the methodology and techniques for effective training delivery.

Duration: 1 day

Training Group: ICUDDR

Training Language: English

Description: This course provides an introduction to the topic of publishing in scholarly journals, with specific modules on writing each section of a research paper. In addition, ethical issues, writing quantitative research and review papers, and the submission process will be discussed. Those participating will have the opportunity to share a draft of their work for review. This course is led by Richard Pates, a founder member and former president of ISAJE and served as the Editor in Chief of the Journal of Substance Use for 20 years. Dr Pates is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist and a visiting Professor of Psychology at the University of Worcester who has published 40 or so papers and book chapters.

Training objectives:

• Define key critical concepts for academic publishing, including ethical considerations.
• Identify best practices for developing the various components of a manuscript.
• Understand the process of manuscript submission.

Duration: 2 days (24 - 25 June 2024)

Training Group: ISSUP

Description: This meeting will be for representatives of established National Chapters. The meeting will provide National Chapters with an opportunity to network and learn from the work and experience of other National Chapters around the world. Participants will be able to exchange experiences and knowledge and explore ways to collaborate and plan joint initiatives with other National Chapters and partner organisations. 

Duration: 3 days (26 - 28 June 2024 – closed meeting)

Training Group: UNODC

Description: This meeting is intended for representatives of key national institutions from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan who are engaged in developing, implementing and evaluating policies, and programs related to drug demand reduction. The primary objective of the meeting is to review progress made on quality assurance for the treatment of drug use disorders and capacity building for drug treatment professionals. In addition, the stakeholder meeting will present an opportunity to assess the emerging trends in drug use within the Central Asia region, identify mechanisms and strategies to respond to those and enhance networking – including through the Global Synthetic Coalition - to enable strategic responses. Furthermore, the meeting will be an opportunity for stakeholders from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan to be informed about new tools and initiatives of UNODC and partner agencies.

Training Date: Monday June 24th - 9:00 am to 5:00 pm

Location: Conference Hall, Riadis Building

Training Group: Joint program by the University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry and ICUDDR

Training Language: English

Description: Many adults have a mental illness and a substance use disorder (co-occurring disorder, or COD). The presence of two or more disorders can complicate diagnosis and treatment. Integrating screening, diagnosis, and treatment for mental and substance use disorders leads to a better quality of care and improved health outcomes for those living with COD.

Training objectives:

1. Describe the philosophical conflicts and stigma accompanying dual diagnosis.
2. Explain guiding principles for working with clients with COD.
3. Identify different factors accompanying the need for integrated treatment systems and comprehensive care.
4. Understand models and techniques for working with clients with COD.

Training Date: Thursday, 27th June – 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Location: Primary School 34 

Trainer: Ilias Paraskevopoulos - Certified Online Counselor (E-Counseling Institute Nuremberg), Systemic Family Therapist (SANGreece), Addiction Counselor (IC&RC), MSc Criminal Law and Addictions (AUTH), SocialWorker / SocialPedagogue (KSFH Munich), 

Working as an addiction counsellor for teenagers at KETHEA ANADYSI, Thessaloniki

Training Language: English

Workshop Description: Communication technology is moving faster and faster. New communication possibilities arise, which influence the sector of counselling and psychotherapy. Traditional addiction counselling as well as addiction therapy, take slowly advantage of this development and enrich their toolboxes with useful new online tools.

At this workshop, we will briefly discuss the perception of reality (frame-related, subjective), as this is very important in text-based, anonymous online counselling. We will also talk about “writing” (text-based communication). The participants will work with the help of case studies in small groups: First they will exercise in “digital reading” which is a special way to read online-counseling-text. Then they will experiment with some practical and helpful work concepts for the online counselling process (e.g. so-called “4 – transparencies - concept”). At the end of the workshop participants will have their own toolkit, a useful First-Answer-Guide and they will be sensitized on the special characteristics of the digital counseling process. They will also be able to reflect on their own behaviour in digital reading and writing.

The target group of the workshop are counselors, therapists and/or supervisors from the addiction field, who work online or think about working online in the near future.

 Training objectives:

1. Awareness of the unique characteristics of the digital counseling process   
2. Toolkit of a helpful First-Answer-Guide
3. Reflection on the counselor's behavior during digital reading and writing.

Training Date: Friday 28th June - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm

Location: Room 4, Vellidis Building

Training language: English

Workshop Description: The year 2024 marks the mid-point of the implementation period of the 2019 Ministerial Declaration on Strengthening our Actions at the National, Regional and International Levels to Accelerate the Implementation of our Joint Commitments to Address and Counter the World Drug Problem. The declaration reaffirmed the commitments made by Member States in 2009, 2014 and 2016 and outlined 12 challenges that need to be addressed to further accelerate the implementation of the joint commitments. The mid-term review conducted by the Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND) in March 2024 provided an opportunity for Member States to take stock of the progress made, identify challenges and gaps, and agree on priority actions for the remaining five years until 2029.

Civil society plays a crucial role in the implementation of the joint drug policy commitments, as well as in providing inputs and feedback to the CND and other relevant UN entities. The UNODC Civil Society Unit (CSU) together with the Vienna NGO Committee on Drugs (VNGOC) works with civil society stakeholders across the world, supporting meaningful, balanced engagement on drug policy matters to help advance the implementation of international commitments.

The workshop will consist of plenary sessions with presentations by experts from UNODC, VNGOC and other relevant organizations, as well as interactive group discussions among participants. The biennial conference of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) brings together a wide range of experts, practitioners, policymakers, and civil society representatives working in the field of drug demand reduction, creating an excellent opportunity for this workshop to further enhance civil society contributions to the implementation of international drug policy commitments.

Objectives:

1. Provide an overview of the outcomes of the 2024 CND mid-term review.
2. Present and discuss the main findings and recommendations of the global consultations and a global online survey conducted by VNGOC and UNODC CSU in the lead-up to the mid-term review.
3. Identify concrete actions that civil society can take at local, national, regional, and international levels to help accelerate the implementation of the joint drug policy commitments until 2029.
4. Foster dialogue and collaboration among civil society representatives from different regions, sectors, and perspectives on drug policy issues.

Expected Outcomes:

The workshop will provide an opportunity to increase knowledge about civil society input on the Mid-term review. It will allow civil society to engage with Member States and other stakeholders on how to enhance cooperation and partnership in addressing the world drug problem. The workshop will also increase awareness and visibility of civil society's role and contributions in implementing the 2019 Ministerial Declaration.

Training Date:  Wednesday, June 26th; 9:00 am to 10:30 am

Location: NEW Room, Germanos Building

Workshop Description: Join us to discover the many benefits of our practical and evidence-based technical assistance program. This program is designed to enhance women's access to substance use disorder treatment and programming.

Learning Objectives:

1. Witness live demonstrations of our technical assistance materials and gain insights on how to access personalized training, mentoring, and support.
2. These resources aim to build workforce capacity and improve outcomes for women with substance use disorders. 

Training Language: English

Training Date: Wednesday, June 26th; 11:00 am to 12:30 pm

Location: NEW Room, Germanos Building

Workshop Description: Join us to engage in a stimulating discussion about mentoring others and receiving mentoring focused on women’s substance use disorder treatment and recovery.

Learning Objectives:

1. Acquire the top 5 tips for being a mentor and the top 5 tips for receiving mentoring.
2. Explore the diverse ways the Global Women’s Network will offer a comprehensive. mentoring program
3. Sign up now to kickstart your career advancement by expanding your mentoring network.