Efforts are under way to develop the cadre of professionals working in the area of drug counselling in Barbados.

The Training and Certification Programme for Drug and Violence Prevention, Treatment, and Rehabilitation (PROCCER), will conduct an all-day training workshop for persons working in the field of substance abuse on Saturday, September 12.

It will take place at the National Council on Substance Abuse, ???The Armaira Building???, Cnr. 1st Ave Belleville & Pine Road, St. Michael, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

An initiative of the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD), under the Secretary for Multidimensional Security (SMS) of the Organization of American States (OAS), the workshop will target human resource providers, as well as frontline service providers such as police, spiritual leaders, pharmacists, teachers, guidance counsellors and military personnel.

Additionally, health professionals working in the field of substance abuse, such as counsellors, psychiatrists, psychologists, nurses and doctors, will also undergo the training.??The service providers are expected to be working with the following target populations: High Risk for Drug Use; Specialised Populations (Women, Juveniles); Addicted Persons; as well as additional beneficiaries, including the families and the community.??PROCCER is a component programme of the Demand Reduction arm of CICAD.

The initiative responds to the need to strengthen, disseminate and institutionalise systematic training in drug abuse research, prevention and treatment through the establishment of certification mechanisms. It also focuses on the development of effective prevention and treatment models and approaches for at-risk populations in the region, especially gang members, youth and persons suffering from substance use disorders. The programme was introduced in the Caribbean in 2011.

theresa.blackman@barbados.gov.bb

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