This Drugs & Substance Abuse programme is a short course open to people or groups of people interested in developing skills in helping individuals or groups of people with drug or substance abuse issues or problems.
Groups would include schools, staff of corporate bodies, community based organisations (CBO's), rehabilitation centres, hospitals and other institutions. The course takes five days facilitated by professionally qualified trainers.
This course is participatory in approach. This is based on the premise that the participants will be able to conceptualise the learning through the sharing of their experiences.
The course entails theoretical aspects that are based upon the psychological theories that form the foundation of counselling in drugs and substance abuse. These are explored at the basic level to give an understanding of causes of drugs and substance abuse. Consequently the theories are related to the personal experiences of the participants. These personal experiences serve as the basis for developing a broad theoretical foundation in the understanding and management of drugs and substance abuse. The following issues will be learned: history and background to the current substance and drug abuse, the personality characteristics of the substance abusers, the range of substance misuse, treatment of addiction and current policies in legislation to control drugs.
On the practical aspects focus is on self-exploration and self-awareness where participants reflect upon their life experiences in order to gain a better understanding of their interest in drugs and substance abuse. The participants are also taken through various exercises for their self-exploration and awareness in their life situations and how they can overcome drugs and substance abuse. The participants work in small groups, which give them ample opportunity to learn, practice and develop appropriate ways of overcoming drugs and substance abuse.
During the course the participants are encouraged to actively contribute to the learning environment.
Participants who successfully satisfy the course objectives are awarded the Association’s certificate of participation in drugs and substance abuse.
