View this email in your browser Fall Newsletter 2020 Implementation of Diploma in Paraguay based on Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC) As in other Latin American countries, in Paraguay, substance use is continually increasing, especially in the adolescent population. In response, government institutions and non-governmental organizations have administered a variety of prevention programs. However, many of these programs have lacked an evidence base, and the substance abuse prevention skills of those working in prevention are rudimentary at best. In response to these issues, ICUDDR is proud to announce the work done by Fernando Salazar, Ph.D., Profesor Principal, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, and member of our Board of Directors; check out his blog at "Implementation of the Diploma in Prevention of Use of Psychoactive Substances at the Intercontinental Technological University (UTIC) of Paraguay based on the Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC)".  The blog is also available in Spanish. The School Prevention of Psychoactive Substance Use Diploma is a program aimed at training prevention implementers in schools, its theoretical contents are based on the Universal Prevention Curriculum (UPC) and has a practical application phase of an effective intervention in a school that it is monitored and evaluated to see its effectiveness.  The admission process is underway and the first class of graduates is made up of 72 teachers and administrators from the schools in which the UPC Demonstration Project in Peru was developed.  A next call open to the general public is expected to be opened in March 2021. Join our "Online Learning Problem Solving Group" The first two sessions in our series of ICUDDR online learning problem solving groups were a big success!  The next session will be about "Educators as Leaders", presented by Susana Henriques, Professora Auxiliar, Portuguese Open University (pictured).  The session will begin with a brief presentation led by Dr. Henriques, followed by a discussion where participants can share issues they have around the topic, share ideas, and ask for help.  Thus far we have had participation from Indonesia, Mexico City, Nigeria, Philippines, and other parts of the world and have discussed communication, diversity, and engaging and motivating students online.  Topics are chosen by the interest of the participants.   Next session: October 26th at 10am EDT / 3 PM BST.  If you are interested in joining us, please RSVP to eylesc@icuddr.org.   Back by popular demand! Publishing Workshop Series Join us for Richard Pates' excellent series on Publishing Addiction Science Research.  Our last series was a big success and several students published their work as a result.  The series will be held twice a month for 3 months and each participant is asked to submit a work to be edited.     First meeting: October 19th 8AM EDT / 1PM BST - contact eylesc@icuddr.org with questions or to register. Time Zone Conversion Tool Susana Henriques, Professora Auxiliar, Portuguese Open University presenting at the first Online Learning Problem Solving Group (Sept 2020) Addiction program to start at Niger Delta University   Dr. Chia Francis and some of his team visited the Vice Chancellor (VC) at Niger Delta University in August of this year.  During this visit. Dr. Francis advocated for the need for the University to begin a drug addiction program.  The Vice Chancellor saw the value in this request and appointed the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Academics to chair a committee with the goal of a quick start to the drug addiction program in the University.  Dr. Francis and a number of colleagues are being trained later this year by ICUDDR to assist in their goal to improve the workforce in Nigeria.  The picture above is from the visit with the VC in the middle and our own Dr. Francis to his left (in white).  We are grateful to be part of this great work!  Implementation Corner Developing Learning Objectives - Based on the work of Igor Koutsenok, M.D., Professor of Psychiatry, Univ of CA, San Diego Whether creating a training program or a University course, having clear learning objectives is critical to staying focused and ensuring you achieve your outcomes!  Learning objectives can be based on Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes.  Below is a breakdown of each of these to help guide you in preparing your learning objectives: 1) Knowledge: Objectives related to knowledge are those that requre the learner to demonstrate s/he knows and understands the material and  can analyze and discuss concepts.  This is the most common category of objective as it is easily measured by tests, quizzes or other traditional means.  2) Skills:  Objectives related to skills measure the change in ability to do something. The focus of these objectives are on being able to perform a task or procedure.  Learning skills requires practice and feedback.  It can be measured through observation or interaction.  3) Attitudes: Objectives related to attitudes  measure changes in feelings, beliefs, or values.  The goal of these objectives are to increase awareness of or sensitivity to certain issues or ideas.  It is the most difficult to assess, and often requires observation over time and paying attention to language and behavior related to the topic.