Harm Reduction 103: Q&A! Jenna Tine, LCSW Senior Vice President of Outpatient Services at The Bridge, Inc. Naomi Weinstein, MPH Vice President of Innovations at ICL (a MCTAC/CTAC partner) November 20, 2018

Agenda Review of key points from Harm Reduction 101 and 102 Q&A Ask the experts your questions about how to implement harm reduction approaches with your clients. Personalized answers to tough questions. Wrap up and review of upcoming CTAC events.

Key Points – Harm Reduction 101 Harm reduction embraces all possible responses to risk behavior, from total abstinence to safer continued use. When people feel judged, they avoid connecting. By avoiding judgment and focusing on safety, harm reduction approaches allow for alternate outcomes. People know themselves best. A concern for safety underlies all harm reduction efforts. Harm reduction strategies can be used in engagement, assessment, treatment planning and service delivery.

Key Points – Harm Reduction 102 We need to be clear our priority is safety, not judgment. Many people see themselves as chronic failures, which impacts their interest in making difficult changes. Not everyone is willing to make changes immediately. Motivational interviewing is a vital tool in harm reduction. Key strategies include: Affirmations Decisional balance Readiness ruler

Question from Harm Reduction 101 and 102 I was left wondering about the disease concept of addiction and how that plays into Harm Reduction. The other part of the question was this (mainly thoughts): ,which seems as presented today, gives the impression that one can continue to use despite the fact that there is no cure to addiction. I think in the beginning engagement stages having someone try Harm reduction may be appropriate but inevitably continued use for the physically addicted person and psychologically addicted person will lead to their demise? Is that ethical? Just a thought

Question from Harm Reduction 101 and 102 How do you recognize your bias and then step aside from it?

Question: How do you practice Harm Reduction with a pregnant woman when you know how the substances can harm her growing baby?

Let’s Hear from YOU! Please chat in your questions or raise your hand to ask a question and we will unmute you!

Resources Harm Reduction Coalition www.harmreduction.org Here to Help (a project of the British Columbia Partners for Mental Health and Addictions Information) http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/factsheet/making- healthier-choices-about-substance-use Washington Heights Corner Project www.cornerproject.org

Upcoming CTAC Events November 27, 2018 from 11:00AM-1:00PM and December In-Person Training Clinical Intensive with Dr. Monnica Williams and Chad Wetterneck, PhD - Addressing Racial and Cultural Differences in Therapeutic Settings Openings in Albany, Only- See here: https://www.ctacny.org/addressing-racial-and-cultural-differences-therapeutic-settings December 5, 2018 from 11:00AM- 12:00PM Exploring the Intersection of Trauma and Addiction with Priyanka Upadhyaya, Psy.D December 6, 2018 from 2:00 PM- 3:00PM Youth Power! Youth Peer Advocate Credential and Training Initiative December 17, 2018 from 12:00PM- 1:00PM Transgender Youth and Mental Health with Sabra L. Katz-Wise, PhD

Contact Us ctac.info@nyu.edu Please contact us with any questions and/or concerns! ctac.info@nyu.edu DAVE