By Mamour M. Mbenga
The Drug Law Enforcement Agency The Gambia (DLEAG), Ministry of Health, Department of Social Welfare, Religious Leaders, Supportive Activist Foundation (SAF), Journalist Against Illicit Drug Trafficking and Organized Crime (JAIDTOC) among others recently completed the second cycle of Training of Trainers (TOT) on the Universal Substance Use Disorder Treatment Curriculum (UTC) at the Senegambia Beach Hotel.
The weeklong training organized by DLEAG in partnership with the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program (DAP) covered UTC 3 (Common Co-occurring Medical and Mental Disorders – An Overview for Addiction Professionals) and UTC 4 (Basic Counseling Skills for Addiction Professionals. It was funded by the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) and aims at building the capacity of core master trainers on the universal treatment curriculum. These master trainers are to serve as a resource hub for training local stakeholders on the UTC, while participants were drawn from various institutions across the country.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Mr. Tijan Bah, Deputy Director General of DLEAG, said The Gambia is fortunate to be among the few countries within the region selected by partners for the implementation of the training curriculum.
He reminded the participants of the importance of the training which he will help broaden their understanding of substance use, disorder treatment and related matters in line with best practices.
The Gambia like many other countries in the region, he disclosed, lacks specialized drug treatment facilities and inadequate capacity of specialized drug addiction specialists. Therefore, with this training of this nature, they can bridge the gap in terms of human capacity required to treat addicts and those suffering from Drug-Induced Psychosis (DIP).
He assured trainers and participants of the agency to continue to support and collaborate in bridling drugs and associated menace from our society, while called on the public to support the agency in this noble crusade.
Godlove, a UTC Trainer also shed light on the importance of the training that participants should work hard in order to bring changes and contribute their quota to the development of their community.
He said the participants will participate in a final exam at the end of the year and will be issue an international recognize license that will permit them to practice as Addiction Profession on the Universal Curriculum Treatment on Substance Use Disorders (SUD).
He commended The Gambia government for the smooth cooperation on the settings of the training program and the effort the participants contributed towards the training.
Mr. Barkon, also a Trainer working with WHO, urged participants to deliver up to expectations so that others will benefit from the importance of what they learn from the training.
The complete training cycle is expected to last a whole year with two curriculums covered in every cycle. In January 2019 during the first cycle, participant covered UTC 1 (Physiology and Pharmacology for Addiction Professionals) and UTC 2 (Treatment for Substance Use Disorder – The Continuum of Care for Addiction Professionals). The third cycle will cover UTC 5 (Screening, Intake, Assessment, Treatment Planning and Documentation for Addiction Professionals and UTC 6 (Case Management for Addiction Professionals).