Browsing by Author "Sousa, Leonardo"
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- Advancing prevention training with the EUPC in Portugal: turning challenges into achievementsPublication . Henriques, Susana; Silva, Natacha Torres da; Burkhart, Gregor; Sousa, Leonardo; Bettencourt, CarmenBackground: Portugal has one of the most decriminalised legal frameworks regarding narcotic and psychotropic substance use. However, specialized prevention training for decision-makers (DOP) and frontline professionals remains scarce. The European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC) was designed to bridge this gap, but its implementation in Portugal has been hindered by several obstacles, including the absence of a national coordinating body, the lack of formal requirement for EUPC trainings qualification, and the limited sharing of translated training materials. Methods: Two key milestones have supported the implementation of the EUPC in Portugal: (1) In 2022, four independent professionals completed the EMCDDA’s Training of Trainers (ToT) program, becoming national trainers and setting the groundwork for further training initiatives; (2) The Frontline Politeia project in Portugal identified critical gaps in prevention training and strategies. The impact of the new trainings with newly translated materials is being assessed through pre- and post-training evaluations using descriptive statistics, as well as content analysis of focus groups conducted at least six months after the training for DOPs and at least three months after those for frontline professionals. Results: The training highlighted the distinction between evidence-based prevention competencies and expertise from personal experience. Pre- and post-training assessments demonstrated significant knowledge improvement and reinforced the importance of evidence-based decision-making. However, the DOPs reported several challenges: the absence of a comprehensive and supportive national prevention framework, limited funding, a lack of rigorous evaluation requirements for prevention funding, and insufficient time for discussion and practical exercises during the EUPC trainings. Discussion: The EUPC implementation in Portugal reinforced the urgent need to integrate scientific research with practical expertise in line with other research findings in Europe, which highlight the persistent underutilization of evidence-based prevention strategies. To address these challenges, initiatives such as blended learning for youth and health professionals, expanded training for teachers, law enforcement and youth workers, and the EUPC Frontline micro-credential program are currently being implemented and tested. The presentation will propose elements to make EUPC trainings more tailored, accessible and relevant for key stakeholder in order to promote a sustainable and effective prevention system in Portugal.
- Implementation process of a manualised program: implications for research and practicePublication . Bettencout, Carmen; Sousa, Leonardo; Henriques, Susana; Silva, Natacha Torres daBackground: Socioemotional development strategies are an important way of empowering individuals to choose healthy behaviours. Scientific evidence shows that the earlier socio-emotional learning/management issues are addressed, the better the outcomes. Methods: The program “Calmly– Learning to Learn Yourself” focuses on the development of children’s socio-emotional skills and positive relationships. It emphasizes self-regulation, communication, adaptability, creative thinking, resilience, and problem-solving. It is considered a universal prevention program. Regarding its effectiveness, it has been indicated in the Xchange prevention registry as “Further studies recommended”. Consequently, the program’s application is subject to evaluation and a monitoring system that ensures data collection to assess its effectiveness. “Calmly” is being implemented by adequately trained facilitators in 1st Cycle schools (3rd year classes), during a school year, in Ponta Delgada, the largest municipality in the Azores and the one with the most fragilities. The program involves 19 classes, covering 320 children, in a classroom setting, with the presence of the teacher. Results: “Calmly” was designed according to a specific territorial context and for a determined target audience, having, further, been customized according to developmental stage. Despite the adaptation efforts, weaknesses were detected related to contextual and linguistic specificizes. However, the support materials for the intervention sessions could not be modified due to copyright and funding reasons. It is also worth noting that, due to the high cost of support materials, access had to be reduced for the target audience. The program's implementation is still ongoing. Despite being at this stage (approximately 50% of the intervention), some positive results can already be visible, particularly in terms of identifying basic emotions and using strategies for effective emotional management. Discussion: Despite having been subject to adaptation and customization for the required age group, the adaptation to the territorial, social and linguistic context did not prove to be the most appropriate. Although the Azores are an integral part of Portuguese territory and share some characteristics, we believe there are unique aspects that must be considered, including the ultraperipheral context. As a future strategy, we will focus on creating a program that originates in the Azores, but can be adapted to other territorial contexts.