The UNODC Kenya mentor has participated at the webinar on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and Substance Use Disorders in Kenya on Friday, 15 May 2020. Together with Hussein Manji, Public Health Consultant at UNODC ROEA, the mentor outlines UNODC's support in the COVID-19 response among the most vulnerable groups, such as people who use drugs and who are affected by substance use disorders, people living with HIV and people living in prisons.
The webinar was an interactive 2-hours discussion with national partners such as NACADA represented by Judy Twala, Drug Dependence Treatment and Care professionals represented by Susan Gitau, Rehabilitation Centres represented by Boniface Ndirangu and UNODC. The talk was organized by ISSUP International, together with ISSUP National Chapter Kenya.
Discussions were held on the results of the COVID-10 pandemic in the country, whether essential services and programmes reaching vulnerable groups are restricted or entirely stopped. The talk continued on the topic of prevention of drug use and how the management of substance use disorders during lockdown in Kenya is handled including whether the impact of the lockdown has increased the risk of relapse or resulted in reduced cases of substance use disorders.
A total of 209 participants were reported to attend the event and the feedback received was positive. The recording of this webinar can be access through the provided link.
We invite you to register for this free webinar-based training course on Motivational Interviewing (MI). The three week long series is presented by Igor Koutsenok, MD, MS, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego, Department of Psychiatry.
Motivational Interviewing is an essential, client-centered, counseling style for eliciting behavior change by helping clients to explore and resolve ambivalence. We are absolutely thrilled to bring you this skills-building opportunity presented by a recognized expert in the field of MI.
The course consists of four sessions to be held during June 2020 (see course descriptions and session dates below).
We highly encourage registration for all sessions.
This is a training in evidence-based clinical methods of motivational interviewing (MI). After orientation to the underlying spirit and principles of MI, practical exercises will help participants to strengthen empathy skills, recognize and elicit change talk, and roll with resistance. Research evidence will be reviewed for the efficacy of MI and for the importance of building therapeutic relationships in clients’ outcomes. Integration of MI with other treatment modalities will be considered.
The goal is to provide knowledge and practical skill training for various practitioners on effective ways to enhance motivation of patients with substance use disorders that require significant behavioral changes to initiate and sustain positive and healthy behavioral choices. Skill building, and experiential training will be emphasized throughout the course by exercises to develop a therapeutic alliance with patients, assess patient needs, level of engagement in treatment process, structure treatment sessions, select appropriate interventions, and assist patient in maintaining motivation for a sustainable behavioral change.
Participants will learn the basic and advanced skills in motivational interviewing and strategies for engaging patients in collaborative relationship in treatment process and assist them in achieving sustainable positive behavioral changes. The course will:
Upon completion of the course, every participant will be able to:
Course Content, Dates & Registration
After orientation to the underlying spirit and principles of MI, practical exercises will help participants to strengthen empathy skills, recognize and elicit change talk, and roll with resistance. Research evidence will be reviewed for the efficacy of MI and for the importance of building a therapeutic relationship in clients’ outcomes. Integration of MI with other treatment modalities will be considered.
Learning outcomes:
Time: 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern / 5pm London
Duration: 1 hour
This session will focus on Fundamental Skills in MI (OARS), providing practical exercises to help participants to strengthen empathy skills, recognize and elicit change talk, and roll with resistance. Participants will learn strategies for engaging patients in a collaborative relationship in the treatment process and assist them in achieving sustainable positive behavioral changes. Research evidence will be reviewed for the efficacy of MI and for the importance of building a therapeutic relationship in clients’ outcomes. Integration of MI with other treatment modalities will be considered.
Learning outcomes:
Time: 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern / 5pm London
Duration: 1 hour
This third session will continue to focus on MI fundamentals, with a focus on more advanced skills and the integration of MI with other strategies and treatment modalities. Research evidence will be reviewed for the efficacy of MI and for the importance of building therapeutic relationship in clients’ outcomes.
Learning outcomes:
Time: 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern / 5pm London
Duration: 1 hour
The fourth and final session will continue to build on MI Fundamentals covered in Session 3, increasing your knowledge of advanced MI skills.
Time: 9am Pacific / 12pm Eastern / 5pm London
Duration: 1 hour
We look forward to you joining us for these virtual sessions! Please contact info [at] issup [dot] net if you have any questions.
Dr. Igor Koutsenok is а Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California San Diego, Director of the Center for Addiction Research, Training and Application, Director of the SAMHSA PEPFAR International Addiction Technology Transfer Center-Ukraine, and a co-director of the SAMHSA PEPFAR South East Asia Addiction Technology Transfer Center. He is also a Vice-President of the International Consortium of Universities on Drug Demand Reduction.
In 1983 he graduated as a medical doctor from the National Medical University in Kiev, (Ukraine). In 1986, he completed his psychiatry residency training and received degree as psychiatrist from the Medical University in Sofia (Bulgaria). In 1993-1996 he received a degree in addiction psychiatry at the University of London, Department of Addictive Behavior and Psychological Medicine at St. Georges Hospital Medical School. In 1996, he was recruited by the University of California San Diego, School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry and since then he serves as faculty member of the Department. In 2013-2016 he served as Chief of Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, United Nations Office in Vienna.
Over the last 25 years Dr. Koutsenok led the design and implementation of multiple training and technical assistance programs for mental health and addiction treatment practitioners, primary health care and social work practitioners, criminal justice professionals in the United States and around the world. He is also directing the UCSD Summer Clinical Institute - the second longest running Summer Institute in the United States (over 40 years). Dr. Koutsenok is also a member of the International Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers (MINT).
For many years, Dr. Koutsenok taught general and addiction psychiatry to medical students, psychiatry residents, psychology trainees, social workers, criminal justice professionals, and policy makers around the world. He is a recipient of numerous national and international awards. He has authored and co-authored over 50 scientific publications, one monograph, and contributed to 4 book. Dr. Koutsenok has been invited as a presenter and trainer to hundreds of conferences and workshops in the USA and more than 40 countries around the world. He is a proud father of three.
On May 15, 2020 ISSUP Kenya, in collaboration with ISSUP Global, presented a webinar on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on Substance Use Disorders: Prevention & Management. Panelists discussed the following topics:
Host:
Livia Edegger, Deputy Director, ISSUP Global
Moderators:
Evans Oloo, President ISSUP Kenya and Clinical Director at Intrapersonal Health Services
Dr Richard Gakunju, ISSUP Kenya Executive Member, Chair, Global Centre for Certification and Credentialing (GCCC) and Director of the Movement against Substance Abuse in Africa (MASAA)
Panelists:
Dr. Hussein Manji, Public Health Consultant at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional Office for Eastern Africa
Judy Twala, Manager, Counselling and Rehabilitation, NACADA
Susan Gitau, Vice President ISSUP Kenya Chapter, Chairperson Red Cross Society (KRCS) Kiambu county and Founder/Director Elewa Ulevi
Boniface Ndirangu, Chair, Addiction Prevention Rehabilitation Association Kenya (APRAK)
Sanita Suhartono, Programme Associate working on Drug Use Prevention and Treatment of Drug Use Disorders at the Health and Social Development Pillar, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
ISSUP Kenya in partnership with ISSUP Global invite you to participate in a webinar discussing the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. The webinar will be presented on Friday, May 15, 2020 at 4:00 pm (Nairobi time).
With the worldwide lockdowns following the COVID-19 pandemic, essential services and programs reaching vulnerable groups may also have been restricted or entirely stopped.
What then is the result of the lockdown on Substance Use Disorders: Prevention & Management?
Has it increased risk of relapse, or has it reduced cases of substance use disorders?
What should be the response to this pandemic from professionals, policy makers and other service providers involved with drug demand reduction efforts in Kenya?
Host:
Livia Edegger, Deputy Director, ISSUP Global
Moderators:
Evans Oloo, President ISSUP Kenya and Clinical Director at Intrapersonal Health Services
Dr Richard Gakunju, ISSUP Kenya Executive Member, Chair, Global Centre for Certification and Credentialing (GCCC) and Director of the Movement against Substance Abuse in Africa (MASAA)
Panelists:
Dr. Hussein Manji, Public Health Consultant at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional Office for Eastern Africa
Judy Twala, Manager, Counselling and Rehabilitation, NACADA
Susan Gitau, Vice President ISSUP Kenya Chapter, Chairperson Red Cross Society (KRCS) Kiambu county and Founder/Director Elewa Ulevi
Boniface Ndirangu, Chair, Addiction Prevention Rehabilitation Association Kenya (APRAK)
Sanita Suhartono, Programme Associate working on Drug Use Prevention and Treatment of Drug Use Disorders at the Health and Social Development Pillar, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
English
ISSUP Kenya in partnership with ISSUP Global invite you to participate in a webinar discussing the impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the prevention and treatment of substance use disorders. The webinar will be presented on Friday, May 15, 2020 at 4:00 pm (Nairobi time).
With the worldwide lockdowns following the COVID-19 pandemic, essential services and programs reaching vulnerable groups may also have been restricted or entirely stopped.
What then is the result of the lockdown on Substance Use Disorders: Prevention & Management?
Has it increased risk of relapse, or has it reduced cases of substance use disorders?
What should be the response to this pandemic from professionals, policy makers and other service providers involved with drug demand reduction efforts in Kenya?
Host:
Livia Edegger, Deputy Director, ISSUP Global
Moderators:
Evans Oloo, President ISSUP Kenya and Clinical Director at Intrapersonal Health Services
Dr Richard Gakunju, ISSUP Kenya Executive Member, Chair, Global Centre for Certification and Credentialing (GCCC) and Director of the Movement against Substance Abuse in Africa (MASAA)
Panelists:
Dr. Hussein Manji, Public Health Consultant at the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), Regional Office for Eastern Africa
Judy Twala, Manager, Counselling and Rehabilitation, NACADA
Susan Gitau, Vice President ISSUP Kenya Chapter, Chairperson Red Cross Society (KRCS) Kiambu county and Founder/Director Elewa Ulevi
Boniface Ndirangu, Chair, Addiction Prevention Rehabilitation Association Kenya (APRAK)
Sanita Suhartono, Programme Associate working on Drug Use Prevention and Treatment of Drug Use Disorders at the Health and Social Development Pillar, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
Presenters: Drs. Chia Francis and Mashika Esther
This webinar will illuminate the level of drug use in Nigeria, efforts made so far to address access to drug abuse treatment services in Nigeria, and details of a study regarding access to treatment.
Thursday June 4th 2020
Time: 11 AM BST / 6 AM EDT
Location: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82963854757
This webinar focuses on the issue of self-care for addiction professionals and was delivered by ICUDDR Deputy Director Cary Hopkins Eyles.
Many of us are drawn to work in the field of substance use disorders due to our history, family, and personal traits, such as compassion and empathy. While these can be great assets, they can also be detrimental to us personally.
In this webinar, Cary explains how to identify healthy and unhealthy traits, how we can care for ourselves, and what authentic self-care looks like.
Cary has worked in the field of substance use disorders for 18 years. She is passionate about helping professionals in this field to take care of themselves so they can thrive and help those in need. Cary has worked in direct care in non-profit in the U.S., has run Residential, Outpatient, and Criminal Justice treatment programs, and has trained and mentored other substance use professionals. She is now the Deputy Director for the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction (ICUDDR) and supports the development of addiction studies programs around the world. She is a global trainer in the Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC).
Recorded on 13 March 2020
ISSUP Kenya AGM was held on 7/9/2019. The key speaker was Dr Mercy Karanja, Consultant Psychiatrist,
Deputy Director of Medical Services: Focal Person for Substance Use Management, Division of Mental Health, Ministry of Health.
ISSUP Kenya today, 30th September 2019 joined NACADA and other stakeholders in the field of drug demand reduction, as the National Authority launched its 2019-2022 strategic plan. Partnerships and collaborations - the way to go.
NACADA/GCCC/ISSUP meeting on 14th October 2019 at NACADA offices. To explore efforts at professionalizing the workforce in Kenya through training, credentialing and professional networking.
From L to R. Ms Susan Maua (Prevention-Nacada), Dr Richard Gakunju (Chair GCCC), Mr Victor Okioma (CEO-Nacada), Ms Becky Vaughn (Director-GCCC), Mr Evans Oloo (President, ISSUP Kenya), Rev Gachoka Wangai (Treatment-Nacada)
On behalf of ISSUP Kenya, I presented our memorandum to the Mental Health Task Force of the Ministry of Health. The task force, which was set up following a cabinet directive chaired by the President of the Republic of Kenya, seeks to gather public views on challenges and solutions about the state of mental health in the country. As a professional body we advocated for substance use disorders to be treated as a mental health issue and not just a security or moral issue.
The Executive Committee of ISSUP Kenya met at the beginning of the year to review the successes and challenges of the previous year and at the same time plan the activities for 2020.
In October 2019, ISSUP Kenya and the Presbyterian Church of East Africa commenced training on UTC for its staff involved with management of persons with substance use disorders. It was a milestone for both ISSUP Kenya and the faith based institution. The series of UTC trainings will continue until mid 2020.
