Best and Promising Practices for Improving the Drug Demand Reduction Workforce: International Case Studies in Successful NGO and Government Collaboration
Authors
1.Mr. Terrence Walton (⚑ United States) 1
1. NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals
Abstract
An estimated thirty-five million people worldwide suffer from drug use disorders while only 1 in 7 people receive treatment. While there are multiple contributors to this alarming treatment gap, deficiencies within the drug demand reduction workforce are conspicuous among them. Professionals treating drug use disorders worldwide are typically dedicated healthcare professionals who are committed to delivering safe, effective, and humane addiction treatment. However, the collective impact of their well-intentioned efforts are too frequently blunted due to insufficient workforce size, frequent turnover, low compensation, and limited competence in addiction-specific evidence-based treatment interventions. Even physicians, mental health therapists, and other highly trained healthcare professionals may have little addiction-specific expertise.
For decades, NAADAC, the Association for Addiction Professionals, a U.S.-based NGO, has partnered with international NGOs, governments, and other international and intergovernmental organizations to equip, empower, and otherwise improve the drug use disorder treatment global workforce. These collaborations include ISSUP, the Colombo Plan Global Centre for Credentialing and Certification (GCCC), the Asian Centre for Certification and Education of Addiction Professionals, Egypt’s Freedom Drug and HIV Programme, Hong Kong’s Tung Wah Group of Hospitals, Iceland’s Ministry of Health, the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement, and others.
This session will outline a three-prong strategy for addiction workforce development gleaned from efforts within the United States, New Zealand, Egypt, Vietnam, Colombia, the African Union, and other nations. Evidence-based and promising practices will be described for 1) strengthening the workforce through systematic and broad-based recruitment and retention strategies, 2) Enlarging the workforce by expanding the ability of peers, family members, community members, and health and social service providers to meet the needs of people with drug use and mental health disorders, and 3) creating structures to equip and support the workforce through training, credentialing, public advocacy, and research.
