This week, we say goodbye to our dear friend and mentor, Jeff Lee, the founding Executive Director of ISSUP. Jeff was a steadfast advocate for the professionalization of prevention, insisting that those working in this field should be appropriately specialized. He often reminded us that while generalists and treatment specialists are well-meaning and deeply embedded within their communities, they are not always best placed to develop and implement evidence-based prevention systems. Jeff emphasized that prevention must be treated as a distinct science—one that is grounded in rigorous research...

The African Union Commission (AUC) has held an annual continental consultation for Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) since 2015.  AUC member states are each represented by their respective DDR national focal points, allowing member states an opportunity to present national DDR activities in a peer-review platform that also allows engagement with invited subject matter experts.  This year’s consultation was held in Arusha, Tanzania from 10-13 December 2024, and included Traditional Leaders from Southern Africa. The theme for this year’s consultation was “Prevention is better than Cure: Towards...

Don't miss our latest newsletter for details of recent meetings and activities in Latin America and Africa. This issue also includes information on how to gain advanced clinical skills with the UTC16 Self Led Course.

Read it here: Issue 182

The Comité Interministériel de Lutte Anti-Drogue (CILAD)[Interministerial Drug Control Coordinating Committee) and two trainers from its pool of national UPC trainers : Dr Badou Roger (GCCC Commissioner)- Dr KOUAKOU Issouf (ICAP Prevention UPC) conducted the first face-to-face training on the School Track : Prevention of Drug use in School settings from 29 July to 3 August 2024 (6 days).

Most of the participants were lecturers and researchers from the University of Daloa (400 km from the capital, Abidjan), as well as educators, NGOs, social workers and secondary school teachers. The session...

ISSUP Cote d'Ivoire in collaboration with ICUDDR conducted the second session of the UPC Curriculum training from 23rd to 31st August 2024. The training was held in the town of Daloa within the central west region of Côte d'Ivoire. 

The 24 participants can be see in the photo below wearing polo shirts with the logo of ISSUP in Côte d'Ivoire national branded colours. Whereas the teachers and researchers from the university are wearing polo-shirts with ICUDDR logos. 

The Comité Interministériel de Lutte Anti-Drogue (CILAD)[Interministerial Drug Control Coordinating Committee) and two trainers from its pool of national UPC trainers : Dr Badou Roger (GCCC Commissioner)- Dr KOUAKOU Issouf (ICAP Prevention UPC) conducted the first face-to-face training on the School Track : Prevention of Drug use in School settings from 29 July to 3 August 2024 (6 days).

Most of the participants were lecturers and researchers from the University of Daloa (400 km from the capital, Abidjan), as well as educators, NGOs, social workers and secondary school teachers. The session...