U.S. Embassy sponsors new textbook and curriculum on substance use disorder for PHL universities

The U.S. Embassy in the Philippines’ Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), in partnership with the Colombo Plan Drug Advisory Program and Dangerous Drugs Board, launched on April 8 a new textbook on the globally recognized Universal Treatment Curriculum (UTC) for substance use disorder.

The textbook—for use by various Philippine universities—was especially adapted for the Philippine context, integrating local case studies and references, as part of the multi-year Php49.5-million ($990,000) INL-sponsored program “Enhancing Treatment and Prevention in the Philippines.”

During the launch, INL Director Kelia Cummins noted that the newly developed material offers a novel approach to training as it “captures the local context and realities in the Philippines.”

“The goal is to promote and strengthen substance use prevention and treatment education among academic institutions and further professionalize the treatment workforce in the country,” she said.

A total of 100 textbooks will be printed and distributed to UTC university education providers in the country.  Twenty professors from several participating universities also completed a 10-day virtual walkthrough training of the UTC basic courses.

In discussing his experience during the training session, program participant Francis Mina said, “the 10-day virtual UTC walkthrough training not only equipped us with skills on treatment, but also refreshed our understanding and awareness of evidence-based approaches in caring for persons with substance use disorder.”

This resource material is an adaptation of the UTC’s eight-volume training series and will be used as a resource for university courses in substance use disorder in the Philippines.  It covers such topics as Introduction to the Science of Addiction; Treatment for Substance Use Disorders; Common and Co-Occurring Mental and Medical Disorders; Basic Counseling Skills; Intake, Screening, Assessment, Treatment Planning and Documentation; Case Management; Crisis Intervention; and Ethics for Addiction Professionals.

Writers from Ateneo de Manila University, Ateneo de Davao University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines, University of San Carlos, and the Philippines’ Professional Regulatory Board of Psychology helped draft the textbook.

Globally, INL supports the training and professionalization of the drug prevention and treatment workforce.

The funding and support for this program is part of INL’s broader drug demand reduction programming in the Philippines, designed to improve awareness, augment use of preventive measures, and engage multisectoral stakeholders in recovery and reintegration efforts for persons with substance use disorder.

Learn more about the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and its drug demand reduction programs globally at www.state.gov/j/inl.