NADA .ADS workshop on use of ear acupuncture among prison inmates at Central Jail, Ahmadabad, Gujarat

NADA EAR ACUPUNCTURE PROTOCOL MEETS GLOBAL NEEDS              

Training workshop on use of ear acupuncture as per NADA Protocol for addiction treatment and general well being  was organized by Nada India ,Prison Department Gujarat & Nada Gujarat Chapter  for Jail officials ,physicians ,nursing staff & NGOs held at Central Jail, Ahmadabad, Gujarat   on 27^th &28^th Jan 2011 .  The workshop was conducted by Dr. Michael O. Smith, Psychiatrist & Acupuncturist from Lincoln Hospital New York and facilitated by Suneel Vatsyayan ,Nada India.

NADA acupuncture is used on a public health model.  Treatments are commonly given in large groups on a frequent basis.  The 21^st century has brought a remarkable expansion in the use of the NADA protocol.  It is used in 130 prisons in England.  Correction officers provide all the treatments under a 5 year training contract by Smart-UK.  The jail program was expanded because of an 80% reduction in violent incidents.   Post-trauma treatments have been given to community members after 9/11 and Katrina.  Treatments for firemen have been permanently institutionalized in both cities.  Ear acupuncture for stress has been used by para military (Border Security Force) personnel and Tihar Jail in India through Nada India.

The workshop aimed at to facilitate a shared understanding of importance of barrier free services and skill in use ear acupuncture as an adjunct treatment at all stages of addiction treatment  (pre admission, detoxification and rehabilitation and after care).  This workshop also provided to the trainees with skills to use ear acupuncture (NADA Protocol three points) under supervision of Dr. Michael O. Smith acupuncturist and psychiatrist .This also enabled trainees in building greater confidence in producing effective approach in dealing with people who avoid treatment,