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Impact evaluation of a training program on drug policy, HIV and human rights in Latin America

Graciela TouzéPablo Cymerman

María Eugenia D´AgostinoIntercambios Civil Association - Argentina

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Background

• Harassment, discrimination, and abuse

• Prohibitionist drug policy and human rights violations

• Drug users´ vulnerability to HIV infection

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Drug Policy, HIV and Human Rights - Contributions for Reflection and Action

• Virtual course two months long

• Aimed to activists and professionals

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Objectives

• Provide a general framework about international and regional mechanisms

• Analyze convergences and divergences• Offer evidences of drug policy impacts on

criminalization, health and HIV and hepatitis epidemics

• Identify human rights violations• Provide tools for action

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Key topics• Stigma / Discrimination• Human Rights• UN and Inter American

drug control and human rights systems

• Impact of drug policy on criminalization, health and social situation, HIV and Hepatitis epidemics

• Identification of human rights violations

• Advocacy strategies

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Virtual campus

• Mentoring • Internal mail• Discussion forums• Virtual library• Videos • Virtual coffee room

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Scholarship program

• Supported by Open Society Foundations and Levi Strauss Foundation

• 6 courses between 2010 and 2012

• 477 participants

• 89% were awarded scholarships

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2013 impact evaluation

• Random sample = 95 participants (20%)

• More than 50% under 35 years old• Wide range of professional backgrounds

(28% mental health field)• Distributed in 16 Latin American countries• Most (48%) were governmental officials

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• “I am member of the team involved in human rights education for military staff at the Defense Ministry. The course helped me to improve my work” (Lucila, Uruguay).

• “I was a drug user for many years; currently I conduct a referral centre. I am very motivated with this course because discrimination is a real fact in my country” (Roddy, Panama).

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• “I´m a lawyer and I coordinate the legal area of a LGBT NGO. I use this course´s contents to benefit the people I work with” (Gustavo, Argentina).

• “I work at the Penitentiary System; I´m glad to participate in this course and improve my performance” (Karen, Guatemala).

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Interest and contents• Course fully fulfilled interests and expectations:

88%• Contents were very good: 91%

“This course has helped me to get scientific evidences to improve drug users´ quality of life” (Gayle, Mexico).“The lessons have been very interesting as knowing experiences and opinions of the rest of the group as well. I took a great deal of reflections on these issues” (Juan, Argentina).

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Utility

• Course had contributed to their performance: 89%– “new approaches” (29%) – “inputs for intervention” (12%)– “legal information” (10%)

“The course gave me many tools for action and new ways to think on these problems” (Rodrigo, Chile)

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Changes

• Changes in everyday practices: 65%– the way they perceived drug problems (42%)– gained better understanding on drug users’

situation (15%)– redesigned projects or activities (7%)

“This course has helped me to see things I had in front of my eyes and I have never noticed” (Carlos, Ecuador)

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Initiatives

• 53% undertook a new activity– foundation of NGO in Costa Rica – certification program at Bolivian university– advocacy lesson in PAHO course

“It was my pleasure to take this course; it will benefit a lot the population I represent” (Federico, Colombia)

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Training opportunities

• 83% knew no other training opportunity on drug policy, HIV and human rights in Latin America

• 92% would recommend the program to a colleague

“As a public defender, this course was of great interest because most of my clients are drug users” (Cecilia, Uruguay)

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Lessons learned

• Challenge common misconceptions about drug users was well received by participants of the training program.

• Training continuity is a key component to sustain advocacy efforts articulated with research and intervention initiatives.

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Next steps

• A critical mass of key stakeholders needs to be strengthened.

• Capacity-building must be complemented with networking and partnership.

• Seek for more commitment from local authorities.

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Thank you for your attention!!!

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