Learning Strategies about Drugs (LSD) – Greece (HelMSIC)

Name of the activity: Learning Strategies about Drugs (LSD)

Country/NMO: Greece (HelMSIC)

Program: Dignified & Non-Discriminatory Healthcare

Contact information: [email protected]

Type of the activity: Capacity Building (Training or Workshop)

General description:

Learning Strategies about Drugs – LSD Project is coordinated together with KETHEA (Therapy Centre For Dependent Individuals) and aims on educating medical students about addiction and how to approach addicted patients without prejudice and stereotypes.

The program has two stages:

The first stage includes a two-day informative seminar, during which KETHEA speakers and HelMSIC trainers inform medical students about drug addiction and its impact on individual and public health. They also educate them on them on human rights based approach towards addicted individuals.

The second stage includes the participation of students in the treatment of drug addiction, participating in 5 meetings in KETHEA therapeutic units. Students in groups of 4-5 people practically apply the methods they acquired in the first stage and additionally interact with the addicted individuals, eliminating their prejudices.

Focus area:

Prejudice & Discrimination

Problem statement:

Medical students are not educated about the effects of drug addiction on public and individual health or the psychological profile of an addicted person. As a result the treatment is often biased because of a non-efficient stereotypical approach. Moreover, they aren’t trained on the principles of human rights approach and how they can apply them when treating an addicted person.

Target groups and beneficiaries:

Medical students
Addicted individuals

Objectives and indicators of success:

Familiarize medical students with the psychosocial aspects of addiction in addicted individuals lives.
For medical students to eradicate the stereotypes and discriminative behaviours towards addicted individuals.
For medical students to gain practical experience on approaching addicted individuals according to the human rights’ based approach

We use pre- and post- questionaries filled by the participants before and after the project, to measure the impact of the project on the information the participants acquired regarding addiction, its impact and the approach of addicted people and on their attitude towards addicted people.

Methodology:

The project consists of 2 parts:
Two-day workshop conducted by experienced healthcare professionals & HR trainers
Participation at the therapeutic process taking place in KETHEA and interaction with former addicted persons.

Follow up activity:
The TREAT Summer School (Treating, Rehabilitation and Evidence on Addiction Training) was organized for the first time in July 2016 as a direct follow-up to LSD. It offered its participants the chance to be a part of the therapeutic community “KETHEA – Ithaca” for 4 days, during which they were involved in the activities of the community and attended seminars on the concept of “social therapy” and its implications.

Plans for evaluation:

We use pre- and post- questionaries filled by the participants before and after the project, to measure the impact of the project on the information the participants acquired regarding addiction, its impact and the approach of addicted people and on their attitude towards addicted people.
Moreover, we have evaluation forms filled by all involved parties, including:
Participants
External Partners
HR Trainers
Local Organizing Committee