The Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme (DAP) launched a new prevention initiative to respond to the need for competent professionals involved in drug use prevention across Central Asia. The first training aimed at prevention practitioners titled, “UPC 10 – Introduction to the Universal Prevention Curriculum Series for Practitioners”, convened in Almaty, Kazakhstan, from 15 – 20 April 2024.

In line with the framework for expanding INL-sponsored DDR capacity enhancement interventions in the region, DAP expanded the “UPC Practitioners Series” and organised a second regional Training of Trainers (TOT) on the “Practitioners Specialty Track: School-based Prevention,” in Tashkent, Uzbekistan from 23 September to 3 October 2024. This ten-day programme brought together 15 prevention practitioners from five Central Asian countries—Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan—with the goal of preparing national trainers to subsequently train specialists working in drug use prevention within educational institutions.

The comprehensive curriculum addressed key topics, including the role of schools in prevention, building prevention teams, developing substance use policies, fostering a positive prevention climate, and selecting evidence-based school prevention programmes. The training was designed to meet the needs of both school administrators and teachers, equipping administrators with effective planning and strategies for school-level policy and climate, while providing teachers with skills and knowledge to implement evidence-based prevention practices directly in the classroom.

The training concluded with the participants being given the opportunity to apply their newfound knowledge and skills through practical planning exercises. They developed professional development plans aimed at enhancing their prevention capabilities and contributing to future demand reduction efforts in Central Asia.

This training initiative was a collaboration between The Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Programme and the UNODC, with financial support from the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL). This partnership underscores the shared commitment of international organisations and national governments to strengthen prevention practices and tackle drug demand reduction in the region.