A training course on community reintegration for detoxified drug users for over 30 social workers from the Ho Chi Minh City-based department of labour, war invalids and social affairs was held from May 22-25 in Ho Chi Minh City.

This training course was co-held by the Ho Chi Minh-based committee for HIV/AIDS prevention and control, Family Health International (FHI) and the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). This is the first course of its kind to be sponsored sponsored by the FHI in Ho Chi Minh City.

The training course aims to raise social workers’ awareness of drugs and help assist detoxified drug users to reintegrate into the community and equip detoxified people with knowledge when confronted with unexpected situations.

Social workers will co-operate with teachers, managers and health specialists to provide common services for detoxified people including support, relapse prevention methods, counseling and HIV testing and care for HIV-infected people.

The FHI plans to open four training courses on primary principles for contacting and counseling home returners for social workers in Ho Chi Minh City between May 22 and June 29. Previously, FHI held two training courses for full-time managers on the community reintegration of detoxified people.

During the first six months of 2006, the FHI granted 40,000 USD for the programme and will continue to grant more in the following years. The FHI has also organised the first three pilot training courses in Hai Phong province.

BTA