Islamic Republic of Iran

 

Training on the Treatment for women with substance use disorders

 

Ms. Lili Arshad, Head of Khaneh Khorshid NGO
presenting results on one of the
group works during the training

UNODC Iran, in collaboration with the Iranian Drug Control Headquarters, conducted a training on the treatment for women with substance use disorders funded under the UNODC-WHO Programme on drug dependence treatment and care in Tehran, on 10-11 November 2018. The training was facilitated by Professor Dr. Gabriele Fischer, UNODC Consultant in the Centre for Public Health Department of Psychiatry & Psychotherapy of Medical University in Vienna.

Participants to the training were drug dependence treatment experts from the Islamic Republic of Iran Ministry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education (MoHME) and State Welfare Organisation (SWO), service providers and representatives from civil society organisations. The training included topics on, inter alia, women physiology of drug use; drug use differences in men and women; ethical consideration of treatment; psychiatric co-morbidities, especially post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD); and holistic approaches on the treatment of women with special emphasis on psycho-social interventions. The treatment of substance use disorder among women was handled at both providers as well as service and drug treatment system planning and programming levels and barriers to treatment were discussed in detail with the aim of improving access and retention of women in the process of recovery.  Theoretical materials were combined with various exercises for making the training more effective and the learning of the materials easier within the group.

Professor Gabriel Fischer facilitating the
training workshop on treatment of
drug use disorders among women

In the closing session of the training Mr. Alexander Fedulov, UNODC Iran Country Representative, noted that the Islamic Republic of Iran has successfully set-up a wide network of centres for the treatment of drug use and it already covers a wide range of services in outpatient and residential settings, including special services for women affected by drug use. Special considerations need to be in place as women, affected by drug use, display more problems as related to their background history, mental health issues and family backgrounds. Also these women are highly stigmatised, have a lower socio-economic status and have numerous legal issues.  He further emphasised that given the central role of women in families, improving quality of services for women is of utmost importance.

Dr. Mona Eslami, Drug Treatment and Social Support Senior Expert in the Drug Control Headquarters, also emphasized on the significance of quality services for improving the access, coverage and retention of women, affected by drugs. She thanked UNODC for convening of the training workshop.

Professor Fischer also expressed her gratitude and praised the pro-active participation in the training. She expressed hope that the good work in the area of drug disorders treatment by Iran could be continued and even be improved.

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For further information, please contact UNODC Country Office in Iran:
Tel.: (+98-21) 8887 8377-81
Fax: (+98-21) 88796700
Email: unodc-iranfieldoffice@un.org