Harm Reduction in Substance Misuse

CE Course Description

The US is currently experiencing a significant substance use and overdose epidemic. Harm reduction is a public health approach that is critical in keeping people who use drugs alive and as healthy as possible.  Harm reduction refers to policies and practices that prioritize engaging directly with people who misuse substances to prevent overdoses and infectious disease transmission and to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of those served. Such strategies emphasize justice and human rights and focus on positive interactions that occur without judgment, coercion, discrimination, or abstinence as a condition of treatment.  This course will educate professionals on the basic principles of harm reduction and how it can be implemented for prevention, treatment, and recovery. 

Author: Kimberley Fortin, LCSW-R

CE Course Objectives

1. Identify the principles, benefits, and drawbacks of harm reduction
2. Explore how harm reduction is implemented during prevention, treatment, and recovery
3. Examine what services and resources are needed to implement harm reduction programs successfully

CE Course Outline

Introduction (5 mins)

1. Overview of harm reduction and its relevance in addressing substance use challenges (5 mins)

Harm Reduction Definition (10 mins)

1. Why Harm Reduction is Needed (10 mins)

Harm Reduction Services (5 mins)

1. Overview of harm reduction services (5 mins)

Principles of Harm Reduction (5 mins)

1. Overview of Principles (5 mins)

Stages of Change (5 mins)

1. Stages of change model and its integration with harm reduction strategies (5 mins)

Benefits of Harm Reduction (10 mins)

1. Cost Effective (2 mins)
2. Lowering Disease Transmission (2 mins)
3. Treatment (2 mins)
4. Preventing Overdoses (2 mins)
5. Community Safety (2 mins)

Misconceptions About Harm Reduction (10 mins)

1. Enables or Condones Illicit Drug Use (3 mins)
2. Prevents People from Getting Help (2 mins)
3. It Makes Neighborhoods Less Safe (3 mins)
4. Harm Reduction is Unnecessary; Eliminate Drugs & Dealers (2 mins)

Continuum of Care (10 mins)

1. Prevention (3 mins)
2. Treatment (3 mins)
3. Recovery (4 mins)

Providing Harm Reduction Services (10 mins)

1. Overview of providing harm reduction services (10 mins)

Evidence-Based Harm Reduction Services (25 mins)

1. Naloxone Distribution (4 mins)
2. Syringe Service Programs (2 mins)
3. Overdose Prevention Sites (4 mins)
4. Drug Test Strips (3 mins)
5. Good Samaritan Laws (2 mins)
6. Medication-Assisted Treatment (3 mins)
7. Non-Abstinence Housing/Housing First (2 mins)
8. Academic Detailing (2 mins)
9. Decriminalization of Possession or Use of Drugs (3 mins)

Harm Reduction Programs (15 mins)

1. Bad Batch Alert (5 mins)
2. Dance Safe (5 mins)
3. Recovery Ready Workplace (5 mins)

Conclusion (10 mins)

1. Conclusion (10 mins)