Evidence-based practice and training needs in drug prevention: the interest and viability of the European Prevention Curriculum in prevention training in Spain

Abstract

[eng] The EUPC training series has been pilot-implemented in nine European countries under the UPC-Adapt Project. The pilot implementation of the curriculum in Spain has raised two questions: (1) what the training prevention needs are, according to the Spanish prevention agents; and (2) how the training prevention needs can be addressed via evidence-based practice. AIM: With the aim of analysing the interest and viability of the implementation of a prevention curriculum in the training of prevention professionals, a study was conducted with a twofold objective: 1 to explore how the prevention training has been developed in Spain and 2 to know which training needs prevention practitioners have. METHOD AND SAMPLE: The study was carried out through discussion groups and interviews with prevention professionals, policymakers, researchers, and students. The study involved 36 participants (61% of them women), distributed in three focus groups and seven interviews. RESULTS: The analysis of the information provided by drug prevention organisations, academics, and students reveals common agreement upon the lack of recognition of prevention agents and the need for definition of their skills. In relation to training, they shared the idea that a broader perspective should be incorporated, a perspective that considers the role of consumption embedded in youth cultural values and specific social settings (such as nightlife). With regard to evidence-based practice, the participants highlighted that this is not still mainstream. CONCLUSIONS: Taking into account the backgrounds of drug prevention professionals and stakeholders, the current research acknowledges the need to forge a common curriculum on drug prevention. Therefore, the EUPC may fit in with this need in Spain.