Substance use, professionals get organised
International Society of Substance Use Professionals ( ISSUP) Botswana charter launches
The International Society of Substance use Professionals ( ISSUP) launched its Botswana Chapter. ISSUP is an international organisation that professionalises the field of addiction and provides drug demand reduction, prevention and treatment training to professionals.
It has over 24 000 members across the world and is in 28 countries worldwide. In Botswana, ISSUP is under the Botswana Association of Addiction Professionals. BAAP aims to advance the field of addiction, particularly the prevention and treatment of Substance Use Disorders in Botswana.
Chief Executive of ISSUP, Joanna Roberts, stated that national chapters are the essential part of ISSUP’s work. Roberts highlighted that national chapters allow the organisation to work with key organisations at country level to meet the needs of the substance use workforce in a given country. “ISSUP national chapters are essential to bring the workforce together, to share learning and promote evidence.” ISSUP is a membership based organisation that connects, unites, and provides knowledge to the global substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Roberts stated that the organisation is delighted to be adding Botswana to their network of professionals all across the globe.
Senior advisor to the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in the USA, Bill McGlynn stated that part of the strength of the ISSUP Botswana is the excellent working relationship between all stakeholders. “We’ve all seen the dangers of new, more powerful drugs that are being introduced and are a great danger to our citizens.” McGlynn stated this as he noted that there are big challenges ahead but the personnel involved in international drug reduction in Botswana are a crucial part of making positive strides in the war against drugs.
Chairperson of ISSUP Botswana, Dr. Morekwe Selemogwe- Matsetse, noted that this was a historic event as an organisation such as ISSUP has never been established locally. Dr. Selemogwe- Matsetse appreciates the Ministry of Health and ISSUP Kenya as they were pivotal in helping the organisation get ISSUP on its feet.
Dr. Selemogwe- Matsetse stated that the objectives of ISSUP are to professionalise the field of substance use disorder prevention and treatment by supporting the development of a professional workforce, collaborate, as well as build positive relationship with government, local, and international organisations towards effective Substance Use Disorder prevention and treatment services. ISSUP will also provide a forum wherein substance use prevention and treatment professionals can interact and collaborate. Dr. Selemogwe- Matsetse stated that ISSUP will promote and Support professional information sharing of evidence- based policy and practice in substance use prevention and treatment.
According to Dr. SelemogweMatsetse, ISSUP speaks into the third Sustainable Development Goal of Botswana which is to ‘ Ensure healthy lives and promote well being of all ages’. Professionals in the substance use industry under ISSUP are given Universal Treatment Curriculum for Substance Use Disorder ( UTC) and Universal Prevention Curriculum for Substance Use ( UPC) trainings. These trainings are done in collaboration with the Colombo Plan and the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement ( USA). These trainings offer local professional international education which improves their ability to fight substance abuse. Dr. SelemogweMatsetse urges more people to join ISSUP as everyone can play a role in fighting against substance abuse in the nation.
Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Moses Keetile stated that substance abuse causes major harm and it has no boundaries on its effect as it devastates everyone regardless of their social status in life. Keetile noted that this is a serious concern that requires unity to tackle it.
Keetile stated that the ministry has collaborated with various NGO’s in its fight against substance abuse. Moreover, the ministry has introduced the Alcohol levy and educates the public on issues around substance use. “Substance use disorders are preventable, the treatment is effective and sustained recovery is possible,” he said.