Children and adolescents in institutional care face multiple vulnerability factors: family separation, exposure to high-risk environments, and limited access to specialised mental health services, all of which may contribute to problematic drug use. In response to these challenges, COPOLAD III — the cooperation programme between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on drug policies — is supporting the implementation of a national action in El Salvador to improve the quality of care for this population, in coordination with the National Council for Early Childhood, Children and Adolescents (CONAPINA) and the National Anti-Drug Commission (CNA).
This country support initiative aims to produce a national care protocol grounded in evidence and aligned with international standards. It also includes strengthening interinstitutional coordination, enhancing the technical and care capacities of psychosocial support teams, and promoting actions that help restore family and community ties.
As part of this process, an International Exchange Workshop is being held in San Salvador on 9 and 10 June, with the participation of seven experts from Latin America and Spain. The workshop will be followed by an eight-week hybrid training course for 90 professionals, technicians and educators working in care centres. The opening session will be held in person on 11 June. Weekly virtual classes will be delivered by Adolfo Vidal and Fabián Chiosso, COPOLAD III consultants and specialists in child protection and addiction in contexts of social exclusion.
Participatory diagnosis and evidence-based training
The thematic focus of this training is based on an initial diagnosis carried out by COPOLAD III in collaboration with Salvadoran institutions. This assessment helped identify the main areas for improvement in the psychosocial care provided to children and adolescents under state guardianship and protection. Key information was gathered through interviews, legal and regulatory analysis, and a review of specialised literature, with a particular emphasis on mental health and the conditions within care centres.
At the opening session of the International Workshop for the Exchange of Experiences, Ana Coímbra, Head of Cooperation of the European Union in El Salvador; Claudia Hernández, Technical Manager of the National Council for Early Childhood, Children and Adolescents (CONAPINA); and Eduardo Loyola, Executive Director of the National Anti-Drug Commission (CNA), took part.
“The wellbeing of children and adolescents is a priority for El Salvador, for Europe and for the international community. Today, we reaffirm our commitment to working together with CONAPINA and the CNA to expand opportunities for a better future for all children and young people”, stated Ana Coímbra.
Claudia Hernández emphasised that “one of CONAPINA’s priorities is to strengthen mental health care for children and adolescents”, adding: “We have initiated changes, and this joint effort within the framework of COPOLAD III and the EU is a valuable contribution to the improvement of our services and care”.
