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21.04.2009

EU-Dap TOT Network: European Drug Abuse Prevention Training of Trainers Network

The overarching goal of the EU-Dap TOT network is to ensure the quality control of efficacy-tested school-based programmes based on a Comprehensive Social Influence model during the dissemination stage. In such a prevention programme the interactive training of the teachers is an evidence-based and indispensable component. The trainers themselves have to be trained in the ‘TOT’ concept, and with the diversity of languages and cultures in the EU, the ‘master trainers’ responsible for this training of trainers must rely on a standardised methodology, evidence-based and of high quality. This is realised by the EU-Dap drug abuse prevention network. Therefore the leading partners of this quality control project are installing the EU-Dap ‘Faculty’.
Published by: Mgr. Roman Gabrhelík, Ph.D.
Last review: 22.04.2009

Increasing the quality of the effective “Unplugged” prevention programme
The Faculty is not starting from scratch in this endeavour but relies on EU-Dap centres in 9 EU member states implementing the ‘Unplugged’ prevention intervention. Unplugged is a Comprehensive Social Influence programme of 12 lessons that is delivered in one semester by the teacher to a class of pupils aged 12 to 14. Unplugged was subjected to a robust Randomised Controlled Trial with 7.079 pupils in 2005 with  typical results of a reduced chance for recent drunkenness of 30%, for daily smoking of 28%, and for cannabis use of 23% (cf www.eudap.net).  A follow-up after one year showed that this effectiveness was sustained for most of the behaviour. To conclude, Unplugged is an effective intervention to delay the onset of drug use and the transition from experimenting to frequent drug use. The EU-Dap centres that established the RCT study were joined by other interested prevention centres, so that 9 centres in Belgium, Germany, Italy, the Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Sweden, Spain, and Austria are currently disseminating the programme in their countries. Other EU member states have expressed their interest in joining them. The concept is tested and sound, the material has been translated and distributed, and each of the centres is  taking care of training teachers in their country. For further dissemination the quality control of the training is necessary. The realisation of it is a contribution to buildingcapacity , standardisation, and sharing or disseminating expertise within the Drug Prevention and Information programme. 

Master trainers on EU level
To this end the Faculty is creating a centrally managed European network of professionals with responsibility for updating and supervising the contents and methods used in the delivry of the programmes. A particular group in this network will consist of master trainers, one in each countryinvolved. They are responsible for the design and spreading of the training to be delivered to the final providers (teachers in schools).

Certified trainers of teachers on local level
The Faculty is also creating a locally managed (country- or centre-level) network of certified trainers, further responsible for thetraining and certification of the teachers in conjunction with the EU-Dap centres responsible for the dissemination of the Unplugged programme. 15 local networks, led by local institutions, are envisaged. 

Unplugged and other prevention programmes
The network that the Faculty establishes is built upon the mutually implemented Unplugged programme. This strengthens the standardisation of quality control. Once established, however, the network is capable of operating with other prevention programmes on both the EU and the local level. The availability of an efficient network of trainer trainers, able to implement quality standards and deliver certification, is an important outcome and contribution to the efforts of the EU for assuring qualitative and evidence-based drug abuse prevention programmes.
The Faculty also plays a role in the development of new programmes, in the promotion of the evaluation of programmes, and not only in the training of Unplugged. Another output of the training is education techniques, such as interactive education, or specific tools from life skills training programmes.

Financial support
The European Commission, Directorate-General of Justice, Freedom And Security, Directorate C: Drug Prevention And Information, Rights And Citizenship, Grant Application Specific Transnational Projects.

Project coordinator
University College Ghent, Faculty for Social Work and Social Welfare Studies SOAG, Hogeschool Gent (Belgium)
Peer van der Kreeft

Partners
OED Osservatorio Epidemiologico delle Dipendenze (Italy)
Centre for Addictolohgy, Charles University in Prague (Czech Republic)
Pyxida (Greece)
Mentor Foundation UK (United Kingdom)
 
Associate partners
EDEX Centro de Recursos Comunitarios (Spain)
Poznan University of Medical Science, Department of Toxicology (Poland)
Stockholm Centre for Public Health/Tobacco Prevention (Sweden)
De Sleutel (Belgium)
Institut für Sozial- und Gesundheitspsychologie: ISG (Austria)
University of L’Aquila, Department of Internal Medicine and Public Health (Italy)
European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction: EMCDDA (international)
United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime: UNODC (international)
 
Duration
December 2008 – December 2011


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European Union. European Social Fund.
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