Equipping health care practitioners with addiction treatment competences and techniques

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Prevention and Harm Reduction

Equipping health care practitioners with addiction treatment competences and techniques Prevention and Harm Reduction

Module 5

Contact hours: 10 hours
Practical sessions: 5 hours
Self-study hours: 5 hours
Assessment hours: 20 hours

Total Duration: 40 hours

Objective of the Module

This module focuses on equipping healthcare practitioners with the knowledge, skills, and competencies needed to effectively implement prevention and harm reduction strategies for substance use disorders (SUD). It provides a theoretical foundation and practical tools for addressing substance use through evidence-based prevention strategies and harm reduction practices aimed at minimizing the health and social consequences of drug use.

Learning outcomes

Knowledge

  • Understand the core principles, objectives, and classifications of prevention and harm reduction strategies.
  • Familiarize themselves with evidence-based frameworks, including the UNODC/WHO International Standards on Drug Use Prevention.
  • Recognize the role of risk and protective factors in shaping prevention and harm reduction interventions.
  • Gain knowledge about effective harm reduction practices, such as needle exchange programs, opioid substitution therapy, and naloxone distribution.
  • Understand the ethical, cultural, and policy considerations involved in prevention and harm reduction initiatives.

Skills

  • Analyze and critically evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and harm reduction programs using theoretical models and real-world data.
  • Design and implement prevention programs tailored to specific populations and settings.
  • Apply harm reduction strategies to reduce the health and social consequences of substance use.
  • Advocate for evidence-based prevention and harm reduction approaches in professional and community contexts.
  • Address stigma and barriers to accessing prevention and harm reduction services.

Competences

  • Strategic Design and Implementation:
    • Ability to develop and implement comprehensive prevention and harm reduction strategies in diverse settings, such as schools, workplaces, and communities.

  • Advocacy and Policy Influence:
    • Competence in advocating for policy reforms and promoting the integration of evidence-based prevention and harm reduction practices into national health systems.

  • Interdisciplinary Collaboration:
    • Skill in working with multidisciplinary teams, including healthcare professionals, policymakers, educators, and community leaders, to enhance prevention and harm reduction outcomes.

  • Cultural Sensitivity and Ethical Practice:
    • Awareness of cultural and societal dynamics in addressing substance use issues, ensuring ethical and nonjudgmental interactions with affected individuals.

  • Monitoring and Evaluation:
    • Proficiency in evaluating the impact of prevention and harm reduction programs, identifying areas for improvement, and ensuring continuous quality enhancement.

This comprehensive approach ensures participants not only gain theoretical knowledge but also develop practical skills and ethical competences for addressing substance use disorders effectively.

Lesson Content
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  1. Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979). The Ecology of Human Development: Experiments by Nature and Design. Harvard University Press.
  2. European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction (EMCDDA). (2021). European Prevention Curriculum (EUPC): A Handbook for Decision-Makers, Opinion Leaders, and Practitioners.
    Retrieved from https://www.emcdda.europa.eu
  3. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2018). International Standards on Drug Use Prevention: Second Edition.
    Retrieved from https://www.unodc.org
  4. World Health Organization (WHO). (2018). Preventing Drug Use and Promoting Mental Health: A Guide for Policymakers.
    Retrieved from https://www.who.int
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  13. Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS). (2020). Comprehensive Package of Harm Reduction Services for People Who Inject Drugs.
  14. Retrieved from https://www.unaids.org
  15. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2013). International Standards on Drug Use Prevention: Second Edition.