The implementation of the 2 nd cycle of the in-service training workshop on" drug dependence treatment and rehabilitation" for Afghan and Tajik drug treatment professionals
Tehran, I.R. Iran, 7-16 May 2018
Providing better social protection and health services to vulnerable segments of the population in the region through building the capacity of the drug dependence treatment professionals, the UNODC Regional Programme for Afghanistan and neighboring countries in partnership with the UNODC Country Office in Iran and the Drug Control Headquarters(DCHQ) of the Islamic Republic of Iran convened a 10-day in-service training workshop on "drug dependence treatment and rehabilitation" in Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
The in-service training workshop was conducted from 07-16 May 2018 with the presence of 14 Afghan and Tajik drug treatment professionals by the School of Behavioral Science and Mental Health (Tehran Institute of Psychiatry), Iran University of Medical Science. The training had both theoretical and practical components in the format of a supervised internship in well-established drug treatment facilities of the Social Welfare Organization and selected national NGOs. In line with this, the participants were trained under supervision of 20 Iranian drug dependence treatment professionals who hailed from the Tehran Institute of Psychiatry and other treatment, rehabilitation and empowerment centres in Tehran and Isfahan, namely, the Omid Therapeutic Community, Drop-in-Centre, the Baharan ERC (Empowerment Resource Centre), the Shokoofehaye Beheshti Children RRC (Recovery and Rehabilitation Centre), the Khane doost Yaran RRC, the Mehre-mother RRC, the Baharan ERC and the Congress 60 NGO. Professionals shared treatment methodologies, experiences and challenges with the international participants.
During the opening ceremony, Mr. Alexander Fedulov, the UNODC Country Representative in Iran, extended special thanks to the Iranian authorities for supporting joint events between the UNODC Regional Programme and the Drug Control Headquarters, Iran University of Medical Science and the Social Welfare Organization as the executive bodies of this training workshop.
He also expressed confidence that the event would provide an excellent opportunity for Afghan and Tajik drug dependence treatment professionals to share knowledge, best practices and experience.
In his opening statement, Mr. Parviz Afshar, the DCHQ Director General of drug demand reduction and the public participation office noted, " … this joint programme with the UNODC is of prime importance for Drug Control Headquarters. Iranian experts are ready to technically assist the Farsi speaking neighbouring professionals to develop scientific evidence-based drug dependence treatment plans and interventions…".
On the last day of the event, Afghan and Tajik professionals expressed their satisfaction with the quality of the training and treatment facilities from where they visited, and one noted:
"… we will encourage the drug dependence treatment policy makers in Afghanistan and Tajikistan to establish comprehensive rehabilitation centres like those we visited in the Islamic Republic of Iran".
The programme was generously supported by the Government of Islamic Republic of Iran and funded by the European Union.