International training for drug abuse treatment and the issue of cultural relevance.
During the last ten years, there has been an increased demand for culturally relevant drug abuse treatment that is responsive to the unique needs of international populations, each with its own special culture and taboos. This article explores the assumptions that these distinct cultural characteristics require different treatment approaches to be effective, and presents both curriculum content and training designs used in educating diverse cultures in drug abuse treatment strategies. The authors discuss their training experiences in Central Europe, the Mediterranean, China, and Southeast Asian countries and conclude that, while cultural uniqueness certainly exists, it may be greatly exaggerated in terms of the need for special treatment modalities in the field of drug abuse treatment.
Deitch
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D
Department of Psychology, University of California, San Diego.
Solit
R
R
D003376:Counseling / Q000193:education*; D003469:Culture; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000628:therapy*