Today marked the conclusion of another successful training for the participants of the Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) for Substance Use Disorders. With the aim to provide a community-based support, local trainees were invited from a range of Government Agencies and Civil Society Organizations that deal directly with substance abuse disorders.
With this week’s completion of the Basic Counselling Skills for Addiction Professionals course, ten trainees have now completed all 8 UTC courses and tomorrow will sit the International Certified Addiction Professional Examination, which will allow the examinees to earn a certification as Alcohol & Drug Addiction Counselors.
The Commissioner of Police Fuiavailili Egon Keil in his keynote address acknowledged the importance of this program and the need to continue this training for future counselors. Charge d’Affaires Tony Greubel said, “This is a landmark event for Samoa and the United States is pleased to have played our part in bringing this to fruition for a healthier and safer Samoa.”
The success of this training was made possible by Colombo Plan in partnership with the Government of Samoa through the Ministry of the Prime Minister and Cabinet with funds by the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs. Furthermore, and the commitment and participation of the trainees.
