ISSUP Kenya and ISSUP Uganda participated in a two day event dubbed "Connecting The Parallels Workshop Series". It was sponsored by Svenska Institute, Sweden under the East African Network (EAN) on drugs prevention and treatment. The EAN is made up representatives from Kenya, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and Burundi with an aim to discuss the importance of uniting both prevention and treatment to enhance to drug management in East Africa.
The event was attended by delegates from the government, civil society organisations and professions in drug demand reduction. The idea of the forum is to break “working in silos”, coalesce around different initiatives, synergise and learn from one another.
Dr. Pamela (ISSUP Country Director) took the opportunity to highlight the role of ISSUP in professionalising the prevention and treatment workforce in Kenya. The efforts are mainly through connecting professionals and building capacity of multidisciplinary teams. The goal is to ensure a network of skilled, knowledgeable and experienced practitioners to address the issues on early intervention, referral to treatment and public health risks associated with drug abuse, prevention and the importance of seeking treatment
Dr. Pamela Kaithuru emphasised the importance of targeting vulnerable populations such as adolescents, parents, and healthcare providers in promoting education and awareness campaigns on the risks associated with drug abuse, the importance of seeking treatment services and post-recovery support. She also noted the emergence of synthetic drugs which poses a danger to the myriad interventions in place.
The participants were lauded for their efforts to strengthen community-based initiatives as they raise awareness, reduce stigma and increase access to counselling resources. In this same meeting, ISSUP Kenya also had a networking meeting with the team from Uganda including Dr. Kikome Ruth; Executive Director-Recovery Solutions, Vice Chairperson Uganda Alcohol Policy alliance, Board member ISSUP Uganda chapter, Secretary East Africa network for prevention and treatment of drug and substance use; Mr Andrew Lubega Board member ISSUP Uganda Chapter, Board member Uganda Alcohol policy Alliance, Community based protection manager Alight Uganda program.
This year's workshop series took place in Nairobi, Kenya, from the 5th - 6th of March 2024 at the WE Hotel And Suites.
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