Accreditation for drug abuse counselors takes lead in Central America

El Salvador has become the testing ground for the first accreditation program of drug abuse treatment in Latin America. CICAD’s Central American Program for Training in Prevention of Drug Abuse and Violence, now underway in El Salvador, has provided training and capacity-building in drug abuse prevention and treatment methods to nearly 500 staff of 36 governmental and non-governmental drug treatment programs and the four governmental juvenile detention centers since February 2007.

“This program enhances the skills and knowledge of drug counseling staff to meet the growing demands that are challenging Central America,” says Anna Chisman, Head of CICAD’s Demand Reduction Program.

Gang-related violence, crime and drug abuse have been on the upswing in El Salvador, and the repercussions have swamped existing treatment services, either outpatient, residential or in the criminal justice system.

Coursework requires the active participation of the trainees.

CICAD joined with the Anti-drug Foundation of El Salvador (FUNDASALVA), a non-governmental organization specialized in drug dependency prevention, treatment and rehabilitation, to develop, test and deliver the training modules. The National Drug Commission of El Salvador (CAN) approved the program in January 2007. CICAD partnered with the National Certification Commission of the National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (NAADAC, United States) to tap into its expertise with professional standards and certification procedures.

Quick start

CICAD and partners developed and tested the basic materials for 160 hours of course work that will serve as a drug counselor accreditation program in El Salvador, and the development of local capacity and training programs for the rest of the Central American region. In October, training activities are starting in Guatemala, another country facing a surge of drug-related crime and violence.

Trainees at a module session in San Salvador

Ten best practice modules were developed, using a training-of-trainers methodology. Among the competencies and skills covered in the modules are: knowledge of pharmacology of psychoactive substances; treatment modalities, including individual, group and family counseling theory and practice: case assessment management and client evaluation; screening, assessment and development of treatment plans; stages of change and motivational theory; and dealing with resistance and relapse prevention.

This phase of the training program leads participants to a first level of proficiency needed to work with drug dependents.  An additional round of training modules currently under development will provide a higher grade of accreditation in 2008.
 

Train the trainers 

CICAD's Executive Secretary James Mack and
project manager Alexandra Hill meet with
inmates as a juvenile center in El Salvador.

CICAD staff and lead trainers first gave the training modules to the Salvadoran core team, consisting of 30 FUNDASALVA staff and selected professionals from other agencies. This core team then taught 140 top- and mid-level staff members from selected governmental and non-governmental institutions, further refining the course work.  The core team taught another 230 counselors and staff from NGO treatment centers and personnel of the juvenile detention centers, reaching a total of 500 professionals. This model is also being replicated with other non-governmental and faith-based institutions. 

"This training program is a major step towards improving the quality of drug treatment in El Salvador and Guatemala," says Chisman, "and our plan – funds permitting – is to expand the program to the rest of Central American in the near future."

The project is funded by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL).