UNODC supports introduction of Advanced Level of the Universal Treatment Curriculum for Substance Use Disorders in Central Asia
The UNODC Regional Office for Central Asia (UNODC ROCA) organized a Regional Training of Trainers (ToT) on Course 18 – “Clinical Supervision” of the Advanced Level of the Universal Treatment Curriculum for Substance Use Disorders (UTC training package) from 20 to 24 June 2022 in Tashkent, the Republic of Uzbekistan with the generous support from U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.
“Health-centered, human rights-based and gender-responsive approaches to drug use disorders and related diseases deliver better public health outcomes. We need to enable such responses with more support, especially to developing countries, in line with the Sustainable Development Goals” said Ms. Ashita Mittal, Regional Representative of the UNODC ROCA during ceremonial welcome.
The fifteen (15) members of the national team of trainers from Republic of Tajikistan and Republic of Uzbekistan attended the training delivered by the team of UTC Regional Master Trainers.
During the five days of the training participants focused on clinical supervision issues. They enhanced the skills that clinical supervisors need to positively impact the professional development of addiction specialists and treatment programs for the treatment of substance use disorders.
This course is important for me as I had not previously received formal training on this topic. Clinical supervision is a bridge between the management of the organization and direct services to the client. Without it, the whole system could collapse. It helps build and strengthen practitioners' sense of belonging and confidence. All specialists, regardless of professional level, need clinical supervision. The management of the organization should understand the importance of it and in every possible way contribute to its development. No one is born a supervisor, moreover, the experience of counseling does not make a specialist a supervisor. Supervision is a separate skill.” said Mr. Vladimir Magkoev, Psychiatrist-narcologist of the forensic narcological expert commission under the Republican Clinical Narcology Center of the Ministry of Health and Social Protection of Population of the Republic of Tajikistan.
The training was conducted within the framework of UNODC global project GLOJ71 “Treating drug dependence and its health consequences: Treatnet”, in collaboration with Sub-programme 3: Addressing drug problems, increasing treatment of drug use disorders and preventing HIV/AIDS” of the UNODC Programme for Central Asia for 2022-2025, and the UNODC Prevention, Treatment and Rehabilitation Section, Vienna Austria.