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9th International workshop at San Patrignano

Summer Session: June 30 – July 7, 2017

Experiential learning labs for social workers, social practitioners working on addiction, researchers and NGO interested in getting to know the prevention, rehabilitation and social reinsertion model of the biggest community in Europe.
San Patrignano, the world’s largest residential treatment center, has been working for the last thirty five years for the full recovery of those suffering from drug addiction. Offering a program of rehabilitation, skills training and full social reintegration completely free of charge, the community has given a new chance to more than 25,000 young people with an independently verified drug free success rate of over 70%. Currently San Patrignano is home to roughly 1400 residents, the average age of which is dropping year by year.
Primary prevention initiatives are also part of our daily commitment: we organize theatrical presentations, interactive debates and study trips to the community using “peer to peer” education on the dangers of drug use. This complex project of prevention, called We Free, reaches 50,000 students all over Italy every year.
Aim of the workshop: San Patrignano welcomes NGOs, government delegates, academia, social workers, students, professionals and individuals interested in deepening their knowledge on our method in addressing drug problems, studying our model and educative approach. The workshop has been developed to respond to the large number of request for visits and internships at San Patrignano, to share our expertise and offer a unique experience of our community. The International staff in cooperation with the University of Bologna created the format, based on previous visits of government and civil society delegations from around the world in recent years.
Venue: San Patrignano, Rimini, Italy and San Patrignano, Botticella di Novafeltria, Italy
Language: English
Duration: 7 days (Saturday to Friday, both included). The course will take place from Friday to Friday. Please make the necessary travel arrangements to be able to arrive on Friday 30, and leave the following weekend on Friday, late afternoon (or on Saturday morning)
Fees: 1250 euro (The fees include: lectures, learning material, accommodation and meals, full board for the duration of the course)
Accommodation: The accommodation is spilt into rooms with 2 to 4 beds, to experience firsthand the true community life-style.

Day 0 – Friday:

Arrival into Rimini Railway Station on Friday 30, between 3 and 6 pm, pick-ups and transfers to Botticella

Day 1 – Saturday in Botticella:

Welcome breakfast and a get-together for the participants.
Lectures: Preliminary contacts and admission process in the community, the preliminary work.
* The role and dynamics of the admission: assessment of the motivational elements, alternative sentencing measures
* Getting prepared for the admission
* The Gambling program
Lunch with the residents. Short visit to Botticella and free time to rest.

Day 2 – Sunday in Botticella (or in SP, Rimini, tbc):

Lectures: Preliminary contacts and admission process in the community, the preliminary work.
* Drug related diseases and initial check-up
* Introduction to the community program
Lunch with the residents. Free time until dinner. Dinner with the residents.

Day 3 – Monday in SP, Rimini:

* Visits to the San Patrignano premises, preliminary tour of the community.
Lunch with the residents.
* After lunch the visit continues and introduction to the experiential learning labs
Dinner with the residents.

Day 4 –Tuesday in SP, Rimini:

Lectures: Organization and economic aspects: some hints
* Organization and structure: San Patrignano, a social enterprise
* The challenge of sustainability and social reintegration
Lunch with the residents.
Afternoon: Experiential learning labs in assigned vocational training workshops.
Dinner with the residents.

Day 5 – Wednesday in SP, Rimini:

Lectures:
* The empowerment
* Job training, Sport and leisure time: nurturing each ones talent. The complex process of recovery through a range of engaging activities with the residents: Leisure time: cultural activities and sports
* Special needs for special groups. Addressing age, gender and parenting issues.
Lunch with the residents.
Afternoon: Experiential learning labs in assigned vocational training workshops.
Dinner with the residents.

Day 7 –Thursday in SP, Rimini:

The whole day will be spent in the assigned experiential learning labs, with the tutors, participating in the daily activities of the residents.
Farewell dinner at SP.accio.

Day 8-Friday in SP, Rimini:

Lecture:
* The WeFree project; our prevention activities
* Q&A Replicability of the model: final wrap up
Lunch with the residents.
Afternoon: getting prepared for the departure and departure

Day 8 – Saturday:

Breakfast and last departures.