The Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (CPDAP), with funding support from The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), U.S. Department of State, convened an In-Person/Virtual Expert Review Group Meeting (ERGM) for the Universal Nursing Addictions Curriculum (UNAC) Level 01 from 28–30 August 2024 at Middlesex University London, United Kingdom. This three-day in-person meeting brought together a group of reviewers specializing in the field to collectively review and provide feedback to refine the UNAC Level 01 Trainer and Participant manuals. The meeting was led by two independent educational addiction nurse experts, Professor Carmel Clancy and Dr. Charon Burda.

The reviewers included:

• Taiwo Christiannah Omirin: Assistant Director of Nursing (Education) and Principal, Head of School of Psychiatric Nursing, Neuropsychiatric Hospital, Aro, Abeokuta, Nigeria
• Yumnam Surbala Devi: Associate Professor, Department of Nursing, All India Institute of Medical Science, New Delhi, India
• Divane de Vargas: Professor, Graduate Associate Dean, São Paulo University School of Nursing, Brazil
• Hanadi Massalkhi: Director of Nursing, Naufar Hospital, Qatar
• Paul du Buf: Registered Nurse/Global Nurse Consultant, United Kingdom

Dr. Josephine Choong Lean Keow, Programme Manager – Curriculum Development, attended the ERGM to coordinate and moderate the meeting as well as monitor the review process to achieve the expected outcomes. Ms. Anne Chick, Foreign Affairs Officer, INL, attended as an observer.

During the three-day meeting, the reviewers focused on lessons learned from the recently  concluded pilot of the UNAC Level 1 at the ISSUP 2024 Conference that led to further revisions of the Trainer and Participant manuals. They also reviewed the outline of the ‘Coaching Module’ and how to bridge the Level 1 and Level 2 curricula. Additionally, the group addressed discussed trainer eligibility criteria and pre-requisites for Level 1 and implications for Level 1. The discussions also outlined the next steps and the UNODC review process.