Safeworks and Harm Reduction

Transcription

1 Safeworks and February 5, Safeworks 101 Strategies for Frontline Work Outline 2 is a public health philosophy that reaches people where they are at. It is about reducing the negative consequences of a behavior, and may result in eventual reduction of the behavior itself. Any positive change is considered harm reduction. It involves openness, honesty and a non-judgmental attitude. 3 1

2 Principles of No universal definition of harm reduction Set of strategies that reduce negative consequences of certain behaviours Meets people where they are at Reflects individual and community needs Non-judgmental, non-coercive 4 Con t Accepts that drug use is present in all facets of all societies and chooses to minimize harmful effects Acknowledges that certain ways of doing drugs are safer than others Builds on quality of life for persons based on their own perceptions Empowering relationship with individuals 5 Examples Safe Grads Designated driver programs Smoking aids Safer sex campaigns Seatbelt laws 6 2

3 Strategies: 7 Strategies: But, if you are going to use heroin, then smoke (or snort) rather than inject; 8 Strategies: But, if you are going to use heroin, then smoke (or snort) rather than inject; But if you are going to inject, do not share your needles or other equipment; 9 3

4 Strategies: But, if you are going to use heroin, then smoke (or snort) rather than inject; But if you are going to share needles and syringes, make sure you follow the correct procedures for cleaning injection equipment But if you are going to inject, do not share your needles or other equipment; 10 Strategies: Also, if you are injecting heroin, make sure you regularly obtain fresh supplies of needles, syringes, and condoms. But, if you are going to use heroin, then smoke (or snort) rather than inject; But if you are going to share needles and syringes, make sure you follow the correct procedures for cleaning injection equipment But if you are going to inject, do not share your needles or other equipment; 11 Strategies: Needle Exchange Programs (NEPs) Does Needle Exchange Work? Attendance at NEPs and increased needle availability are associated with decreases in risk as well as a decrease in harm. The availability of NEPs increases the likelihood that injection drug users will become involved in treatment and prevention interventions. - Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse,

5 Strategies: Safer Injection Facilities Doors for the first Canadian Safer Injection Facility opened in Vancouver, September Drug users inject under supervision of medical staff Has already shown to help decrease overdose and needle debris within the community - Vancouver Coastal Health, What s new to Canada? Injection drug user groups Heroin trials - NAOMI Crack pipe exchanges 14 The Challenge: Addiction Big barriers to abstinence include: Tolerance wanting to avoid withdrawal Challenges to Quitting friends, family, self Reasons for Substance Use denial, avoidance Pain chronic, physical, psychological reduction helps create a safer space for your client to contemplate change! 15 5

6 Relapse Is a normal part of recovery Clients need to see relapse as normal and not beat themselves up over it. It can be a little blip or a huge mountain depending on client perception. On occasion, clients have been so disappointed about a relapse that they are embarrassed to seek immediately. 16 Challenges to Quitting Drugs Peer pressure Lack of support Crisis Determinants of health Past survival skills/coping Fear of success Fear of withdrawal Loneliness Lack of knowledge of resources Lack of available resources Emotional avalanche Too much pressure Multi-issue problems Addiction 17 Safeworks Calgary Services Health education (e.g. safer sex) about diseases HIV & Hepatitis B & C testing Syphilis testing Pregnancy testing Hep. B, Flu, Tetanus, Pneumococcal and Meningitis vaccine Counseling and referral to appropriate community services HIV/Hepatitis C Support Group Hospital visits Accompaniment to health related appointments Sobriety support Clean needles, vein care supplies to prevent infection Condoms Sharps buckets Community presentations 18 6

7 Locations DIC 499 Riverfront Ave SE Mon - Fri 9am - 12pm - Sat 12:15-3:15pm Centre of Hope 420-9th Ave SE Mon - Fri 1pm-5pm 19 Locations Cont. Sheldon Chumir Sat-Thurs 4pm-8pm Van cell seven nights per week and 4 days/wk Alexandra Health Centre five days per week and in the Health Bus 20 Details All information is free Confidential No appointment necessary Most clients accessing the program use a codename 21 7

8 Thank you for your participation For information about Telemental Health education events: (403) Initiatives Telemental Health Current Telelearning Sessions 22 8