Training on the Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC) – CORE, delivered by the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) in collaboration with ISSUP Bahamas. The training brought together prevention professionals from across the Caribbean, reinforcing regional cooperation and shared learning.
The UPC CORE training focused on strengthening foundational competencies in evidence-based substance use prevention, equipping participants with practical tools to design, implement, and evaluate effective prevention initiatives within their local contexts. The curriculum emphasises prevention as a scientific discipline, grounded in data, theory, and best practices.
The session opened with remarks from Jimena Kalawski, Head of the Drug Demand Reduction Unit at CICAD, and Kirsty Fitzpatrick, Regional Coordinator for the Caribbean, who highlighted the importance of investing in prevention workforce development and strengthening regional collaboration. Their interventions underscored CICAD’s commitment to evidence-based approaches and to supporting countries in translating policy into effective prevention practice.
While hosted in partnership with ISSUP Bahamas, the training welcomed professionals from multiple Caribbean countries, including Barbados, Guyana, and Trinidad and Tobago. This diverse participation enriched discussions and allowed for meaningful exchange of experiences, challenges, and promising practices across different national settings.
Throughout the training, participants worked on developing and refining prevention implementation programmes, applying the UPC framework to real-world scenarios relevant to their communities. This hands-on approach supported the translation of evidence into practice and strengthened regional prevention capacity.
As a follow-up to this training, a face-to-face workshop will take place in The Bahamas from 21 to 23 January 2026. This in-person workshop will provide an opportunity for participants to review, present, and further strengthen the implementation programmes they developed, receive technical feedback, and continue peer learning and collaboration.
ISSUP values its ongoing collaboration with CICAD and its National Chapters to support workforce development across the Caribbean. Initiatives such as this UPC CORE training contribute to building a skilled, connected, and evidence-informed prevention workforce, essential for sustainable and effective substance use prevention across the region.
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