Belmopan. February 25th, 2014. A delegation of six Belizeans, through the National Drug Abuse Control Council (NDACC), Ministry of Health, returned to Belize over the weekend from the Training and Certification Program (PROCCER) Regional Training of Trainers Workshop with the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission, Organization of American States (CICAD/OAS).
The objective of the program was to share new methods that can be adapted to improve the quality of care in prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of drug abuse and dependence and drug-related violence. In this approach, the program works with both governmental and non-governmental front line organizations that provide drug abuse and violence prevention, treatment and rehabilitation services for persons suffering from drug abuse and/or dependence and their families, as well as other high-risk populations.
NDACC School and Community Program Unit Coordinator Mr. Emelio Matura is the PROCCER Caribbean Focal Point for Belize. He has participated in the first two phases of the program since its launch in May 2011. The third phase of implementation was the National Training of Trainers Workshop that was held in Miami, Florida, U.S.A. Belize was represented by:
*Mr. Amelio Matura, School and Community Program Unit Coordinator, NDACC
*Ms. Trecia Belle, Drug Educator, NDACC- Cayo District
*Mr. Emir Castaneda, HECOPAB, Ministry of Health
*Mr. Errol Longsworth, Rehabilitation and Treatment Unit Coordinator, NDACC, Ministry of Health
*Mrs. Rebecca Tillett-Constanza, PNP Nurse, Northern Regional Hospital, Ministry of Health
*Ms. Jeniffer Lovell, Mental Health Association
The training was held from 17th – 21st February, 2014. The delegation will develop training strategies and implement the training courses in prevention and treatment counseling, therapy techniques and management skills to service providers in Belize.
