Speakers
Description
Authors: Rasha Abi Hana (Vrije University Amsterdam), Hala Najm (International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP)), Gregor Burkhart (Principal Scientific Analyst for Prevention, Public Health Unit, European Union Drugs Agency (EUDA), President of the EUSPR (2022-2025))
Background: Advancing the professionalism of the drug prevention workforce and improving evidence-based decision making are at the heart of the European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC). The EUPC training equips decision makers and policymakers involved in prevention with science-based knowledge and practical tools to inform policy and practice, thereby modernising prevention systems. While originally developed for the European context—with references such as the Xchange registry and the European Drug Prevention Quality Standards (EDPQS)—the curriculum is now being introduced internationally. Notably, this includes its first implementation in a region with minimal European institutional tradition or reference frameworks, marking an unusual and contextually significant process of adaptation. This expansion raises important questions about how such curricula can be tailored to meet local cultural, linguistic, and systemic needs while preserving core scientific principles.
Methods: In July 2024, the first Arabic-language EUPC training was conducted in Amman, Jordan. Hosted in collaboration with Jordan’s Anti-Narcotics Department, the training gathered 20 professionals from different backgrounds, including several key decision-makers. Over three days, participants completed the full basic EUPC and took part in a structured cultural adaptation session using focus group discussions (FGDs) based on semi-structured interview questions. These explored participant views on content, terminology, examples, imagery, handouts, legal references, and language. Participation was voluntary, with consent obtained for audio recordings.
Results: Participants identified the need to adapt references (e.g., Captagon, Shisha), include local data and visuals, and simplify complex terms. While the manual had been translated into formal Arabic, participants highlighted linguistic barriers, especially with complex prevention terminology. Trainers and participants collaboratively suggested colloquial alternatives, drawing on sources like WHO’s Unified Medical Dictionary.
Discussion: The process underscored the importance of co-creating culturally resonant content through local stakeholder engagement. Encouragingly, these early experiences suggest that—with thoughtful cultural adaptation—the EUPC and its underlying European values are viewed as acceptable, feasible, and relevant for broader implementation in a non-European region. The region’s strong cultural and historical exchanges with Europe may also serve as a facilitator for this process. Future FGDs in Palestine and Lebanon will help refine the Arabic adaptation and ensure continued relevance across diverse settings.
| Conflict of interest | No conflict of interest |
|---|
