Combining the European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) and Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) in a Master’s Degree in Addictions

INTRODUCTION:

The European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) and The Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) are paradigms of the efforts to achieve an international standardised training for drug demand reduction. Both curricula are based on evidence-based knowledge and practice and follow the quality standards established by important international institutions such as the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the European Monitoring Center for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). In addition to training directly aimed at professionals, it is important to include academic undergraduate and postgraduate programs with these standardised curriculums, both for students and professionals. The experience of establishing the EUPC-UTC Master of Addictions at the University of the Balearic Islands (UIB) constitutes a pioneering example of an academic study that blends the two international curriculums. The article aims to present the design and implementation of this the first version of this Master’s Degree Program to highlight eventual best practices for other academic institutions interested in a similar format. Also, it adds to the body of comparative literature on the experience of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in the addiction science field.

METHODS:

This qualitative-descriptive article is based on an analysis of the master’s program documents, meetings with students, and the lectures offered.

RESULTS:

Students emphasised that a broad perspective on addictions is required, along with also blended and participatory learning practices. Lecturers emphasised the importance of teaching evidence-based interventions and a good working knowledge of resources, institutions, and networks.

CONCLUSIONS:

The Master of Addictions program at University of the Balearic Islands demonstrates that the practices for adapting and teaching the standardised contents of EUPC and UTC in an academic and university setting could be exported to other similar academic programs are those related to adapt.