The training was led by experts with extensive experience in substance abuse treatment, including professionals from the Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse – HIV, the Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, and the Hanoi Sub-department of Social Vices Prevention and Combat. The curriculum focused on equipping leaders with essential basic skills, ranging from the operational methods of the consulting points and the management mechanisms to the coordination and transfer of information, as well as the skills in counseling, supporting, caring for, and treating people who use drugs. During the training session, Dr. Han Dinh Hoe, PhD., a lecturer from the Hanoi Medical University and representative of the Vietnam International Technology Transfer Center (V-ITTC), shared his knowledge and instructed participants on effective communication, observation, questioning, listening, and client engagement skills.

In addition to acquiring knowledge from the lectures, trainees also engage in group practice sessions, have their questions answered, participate in discussions, and listen to the real-life experiences shared by both instructors and fellow trainees.

The training session was successful with active participation from officials in the fields of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs, Public Security, and Healthcare. In the coming months, trainees will be part of the healthcare team directly applying the knowledge they have learned, conducting activities at the consulting points to care for and support clients, and treat drug addiction within the community.

The CME course on Methadone maintainace treatment for Opioid Use Disorder (A Basic course for physicians) engaged the participation of 42 doctors from various provinces including Hanoi, Haiphong, Ho Chi Minh City, Tra Vinh, Binh Thuan, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, Tuyen Quang, Tien Giang, and Nghe An.

The CME course on Substance addiction diagnosis was attended by 22 physicians from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Thuan, Tien Giang, and Nghe An.

The instructors participating in the training course included experts with years of experience in the field of substance addiction treatment from the Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse – HIV, Hanoi Center for Disease Control, Dong Da methadone treatment facility, and VAAC -Vietnam Authority of HIV/AIDS Control – Ministry of Health.

The two CME courses provided trainees with a wealth of knowledge, including insights into addiction mechanisms, methadone treatment, identifying drug addiction status, and more. Additionally, within the curriculum, participants engaged in hands-on activities with patients, evaluating them and determining addiction status, documenting medical records, and completing various forms. The instructional team fostered a positive learning environment, attracting active participation through a combination of classroom theory and practical application with patients. Furthermore, the training process facilitated exchanges between instructors and trainees, addressing queries and challenges in their work, and sharing practical experiences in dealing with patients with a history of addiction.

At the conclusion of the two training courses, participants underwent a final course assessment and completed practical exercises following the training. The outcome was that all trainees successfully completed the final knowledge assessment, with 100% of participants from both classes receiving CME certification.

Members of the Organizing Committee and Instructors were from  the Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse – HIV, Hanoi Center for Disease Control, Dong Da methadone treatment facility, and VAAC -Vietnam Authority of HIV/AIDS Control – Ministry of Health.

The course has been conducted by lecturers of CREATA-H, CDC Ha Noi and Hai Ba Trung Methadone clinics, who have many years of experience working in substance use treatment. Our lecturers applied various teaching methods, combined with practicing on patients, which motivates leaners to take part in the training activities.

In addition, participants also had the opportunity to discuss and share practical experiences when working with patients using drug, to solve problems and answer questions during the days.

At the end of the course, learners are estimated to accomplish the training course and 100% succeed in achieving CME certification for doctors on using methadone in substance use treatment.

(Mr Phung Quang Thuc – Head of Hanoi Department for Social Vices Prevention – speaking at the course)

Speaking at the course, Mr Phung Quang Thuc – Head of Hanoi Department for Social Vices Prevention emphasized the need of training for staff working in drug addiction treatment field to enhance the knowledge, counselling skills in order to support the patients. Besides, gradually improving the effectiveness of drug addicts management in localities.

In 2021, there are 14 counseling centers in Hanoi at 14 communes/wards in Hoan Kiem, Long Bien, Nam Tu Liem, Cau Giay, Hai Ba Trung, Thanh Xuan and Thanh Tri districts. The development and maintainance of treatment facilities had several important purposes, including: Delevoping the drug treatment network at community level, mobilize organizations and individuals to support drug addicts in order to raise awareness and adherence to treatment; Facilitating drug addicts and their relatives to approach and use comprehensive services including: treatment, detoxification and rehabilitation. Reducing illegal behaviors, negative influence and crime rate on community in term of limiting the increase in the number of new addicts.

(Assoc.Prof. Le Minh Giang – Dupity Director of Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse – HIV)

Attending the course, Assoc.Prof. Le Minh Giang – Dupity Director of Center for Training and Research on Substance Abuse – HIV shared about the important roles of staff working directly on social support for drug addicts in the community including: updating and equipping in-depth knowledge is extremely essential. He hoped that after the course, the trainees will have a huge knowledge and professional attitude in social supporting to help the drug addicts in community.       

The course took place from April 5 to 9, 2021. At the end of theoretical session, practitioners had a chance to practise at the counseling centers and rehabilitation centers to apply their knowledge and skills to real life situation.

From March 18-19, 2021, the ITTC Vietnam Project (International Technology Transfer Center – A program of the International Consortium of Universities for Drug Demand Reduction), in collaboration with Hanoi Centers for Disease Control and Prevention organized a training course: “Harm reduction intervention on ATS” for 40 health workers at 18 methadone facilities in Hanoi. With the aim of improving the quality and sustainability of human resources for drug addiction treatment, contributing to reducing the harm of drug use on individuals and related communities.

Attending and speaking at the training course, Dr. Ta Thi Hong Hanh – Head of Department of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, Hanoi Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emphasized the multiple substance use in the community, especially in methadone patients, has a significant effect on their treatment outcomes. Currently, the dependence and addiction of ATS still do not have any medications. Therefore, the more complicated addiction treatment requires health workers to have more knowledge and skills, including psychosocial therapy.

During 2-day training session, the trainees actively participated in the lesson parts and discussed the situation of drug use in the world and in Vietnam, signs of use, psychiatric disorders associated with ATS use, psychosocial and harm reduction intervention. Besides, the trainees also practised the ASSIT screening tool and gave brief intervention to ATS users. This training course is a good chance for trainees to improve their treatment capacity.