The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Sierra Leone Psychiatric Teaching Hospital (SLPTH) in partnership with ECOWAS Commission on Monday, April 25, 2022, commenced a 10-day training on Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) phase II of Colombo Plan on substance use disorder in the conference hall of the Psychiatric Hospital in Freetown.
The Executive Director of NDLEA, Abdul Sheku Kargbo said that there is growing problem of drugs abuse and consumption in the country despite efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone to tackle it, adding that with the efforts and collaboration of ECOWAS Commission to capacitate caregivers, there is going to be improvement.
He added that with the training, participants are going to be capacitated with knowledge in dealing with substance abuse, and there will be improved on service delivery for people with substance use disorders in Sierra Leone.
“Drug abuse had led to health, economic and social problem. It’s also undermined the peace, safety and stability of our neighborhoods, families, and society,” Kargbo said.
He added that the current admission in the Psychiatric Hospital could also attest to the increase in drugs abuse.
Kargbo also mentioned that after the training participants are expected to take an international accredited examination to be conducted by the Global Centre for Credentialing and Certification (GCCC).
Speaking on behalf of the Commissioner for Social Affairs and Gender at the ECOWAS Commission, Andrew H. Kamara said that the Commission started the UTC training in November 2021 for 27 multidisciplinary personnel, including psychiatric nurses, pharmacists, social workers, police officers and military officers from across the various hospitals and regions in Sierra Leone.
He added the content and methodology of the UTC training series are designed to ensure that health practitioners developed a balance perspective on the principle relating to both the science and art treatment in dealing with substance abuse.
“Each course is intended to enhance the knowledge, skills and competencies of treatment professionals, as well as promote evidence-based practice for the enhancement of service delivery and treatment outcomes,” Kamara said.
Kamara cited that despite the drug-related health situation in ECOWAS Region, access to treatment is woefully inadequate due to the unavailability of trained healthcare professionals to provide the needed targeted care for drugs abusers adding that because of the looming problem the Commission had embarked on trainings of mental health professionals.
He cited that between 2018-2021, 211 Health Professionals in nine Member States were trained to improve the quality of services provided to People with Drug Use Disorders (PWDs), adding that six member states are yet to complete their UTC training, including Sierra Leone.
By George M.O. Williams