Pilot Training of Drug Use Prevention Package among At-risk Women.
|
|
UNODC Country Office in the Islamic Republic of Iran piloted in collaboration with the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters a drug use prevention training package for at-risk women in 7 centres located in Tehran and Bushehr. The pilot was implemented aiming at reducing the demand for drugs, mitigating the public health and social consequences of drug abuse, and protecting women, children, families and communities from drug addiction and HIV under the Project "IRN/Z78- Drug Use Prevention, Treatment, Rehabilitation, and HIV Care" and had become possible thanks to the gracious funding of the Federal Republic of Germany.
The training comprised of 12 once a week sessions based on the package of: i) an instructor guide, ii) a participants' workbook and iii) a narrative reading book explicating background information on the 12 sessions topics for the participants. The piloted version based on an earlier tested version that had then been revised based on the results and the received feedback.
The instructors of the package had received training on facilitation skills, drug prevention principles back in July-August 2017, where they also had the chance to practice and exercise the package under the supervision of master trainers.
|
|
Hope and optimism are two expressions that have been recently added to the vocabulary of Amene*, 33y, one of the 67 Afghan and Iranian women who participated in a drug prevention 12-session pilot training for spouses of men who use drugs. According to the trainers the women participating in the training were very enthusiastic about the programme and they came to the classes eagerly.
In the training sessions, women became acquainted with the importance of being independent and self-aware. They also learned that they were capable enough to have a job and protect themselves and their children. In addition, the sessions highlighted the vital role of the family life. The training introduced the characteristics of a healthy family which could protect its members from addiction. Other topics included life skills, self-empowering, self-esteem and goal-setting. Moreover, instructors trained participants on the prevention of sexually transmitted infections like HIV and Hepatitis and domestic violence.
At the end, the women were very satisfied with the training sessions and they made assertions like: "I have more self-confidence and self-esteem now.", "I learned how to come up with my problems and how to treat my children and husband.", "I learned to be independent and plan for my future.", "I learned to control my anger and anxiety"; "The quarrels with my husband are so much less now." Moreover, they were interested in continuing the programme and keeping in touch with the centre in the future. The assessment of the results of the pre and post-test evaluation confirm that the general health and self-confidence of the participating women has improved significantly following the implementation.
|
|
For more related story you can visit:
https://www.unodc.org/islamicrepublicofiran/en/unodc-trains-ngos-staff-for-pilots-of-drug-use-prevention-among-at-risk-youth-and-women.html
*The names have been changed for the purpose of anonymity.