2 Clinical/Ethics CEUs
Globally there is a transition from a criminal justice to a public health approach to addiction, the path led by both the World Health Organization and the UN. The US is one of the last first world countries to continue to not only use, but promote the criminal justice approach. This is in direct conflict with core social work values of social justice and dignity and worth of a person and our ethical responsibility to promote the well-being of our clients and promote their right to self-determination.
This presentation will review the seven principles of harm reduction practice, the foundation of a public health approach, and detail specific strategies commonly used in the counseling relationship. The Harm Reduction Model acknowledges that drug use is a part of our world and works to keep people who use drugs safe rather than to ignore or condemn them. This unconditional positive regard allows for a referral point when people do shift their stage of change for treatment readiness. It also recognizes that such behavior change is not simple and therefore does not threaten the connection or counseling relationship should a client continue to use drugs or slip back to drug use should they decide to attempt abstinence.
Objectives:
1. Attendees will learn the components of harm reduction and how to incorporate this model into their clinical practices.
2. Drug use serves a purpose in people’s lives, attendees will understand the role of harm reduction in client engagement and the need for client advocacy in treatment program policy making around mandated abstinence.
3. Attendees will learn epidemiological data about the many ways of recovery from substance misuse, including without formal treatment and even without seeking abstinence.
4. Key public health harm reduction strategies will be detailed and attendees will be offered access to free training in the use of Narcan. Upon completion Narcan will be mailed to their address of record.
For those licensed in NY: NASW New Jersey Chapter SW CPE is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0138. This course does not necessarily meet supervision requirements in the state of New York.
