UNODC enhanced the knowledge and skills of national trainers through the Universal Treatment Curriculum for Substance Use Disorders in Turkmenistan

The UTC training series is aimed to enhance the capacity of the team of national trainers to disseminate the obtained knowledge among specialists working in the field of drug dependence treatment and prevention in their own countries. 

Ten participants of the national training course were the practicing addiction specialists and members of national teams of trainers from Turkmenistan, who hold credentials of International Certified Addiction Professionals Level One (ICAP I).

The main objectives of the training were to provide a comprehensive understanding of the role of pharmacotherapy and pharmacological interventions on a continuum of recovery-oriented interventions and to present ways of integrating medication-assisted treatment (MAT) services into a comprehensive system of care (e.g., program setting, management issues).

Ms. Gulmira Suleymanova, Colombo Plan Project Manager for Afghanistan and Central Asia, in her opening speech highlighted the importance of UTC training package and encouraged the participants to continue conducting echo-trainings for addiction professionals in their workplaces and to pass down the knowledge received in the training. She also encouraged them to join the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP) to expand their own horizons by sharing professional knowledge and experience.

During seven days, the participants were informed about the role of pharmacotherapy on a continuum of recovery-oriented interventions and systems of care, provided with the information to identify the phases of care involved in all Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT) programs, explained the psychosocial benefits of MAT, and describe specific types of pharmacological interventions.

This training was organized within the framework of UNODC global project GLOJ71 “Treating drug dependence and its health consequences: Treatnet II” in collaboration with Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program with financial support from U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

For more information please contact:

Arifa Fatikhova 

Communications and External Relations Officer

United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)

Regional Office for Central Asia

Mobile: (+998 93) 505-05-58 | Email: arifa.fatikhova[a]un.org