Principals of Harm Reduction    

Registration deadline December 2nd

Trainer:

Christopher Bondi MD has spent the bulk of his career working with patients in the fields of Psychiatry and Addiction Medicine.  He has worked in both inpatient and outpatient SUD treatment environments, as well as in teaching hospitals in Vermont and the Midwest.   For the past several years, Dr. Bondi has added a teaching focus to his work, working to increase awareness and interest in compassionate treatment of people suffering from Substance Use Disorders.  Dr. Bondi currently serves as an instructor for the Vermont Recovery Coach Academy and Recovery Vermont.  He also serves as Continuum Faculty for the American Society of Addiction Medicine.  

Description:

This seminar explores the history, principles, and current practice of Harm Reduction strategies for persons with a substance use disorder.  We will discuss the underlying philosophy of HD and compare those ideas to how HD is practiced in Vermont today.  Practical discussion of overdose prevention and Medication Assisted therapy rounds out the discussion, with a brief look at future strategies currently being explored on a limited basis. 

Agenda:

9-9:30 Introduction and definitions

9:30-10:00 What Harm Reduction is not

10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-10:45 Principles of Harm Reduction

10:45-11:00 Harm Reduction Programs

11:00-11:15 Vermont Harm Reduction resources

11:15-11:30 Break

11:30-11:45 Overdose prevention

11:45-12:00 Medication Assisted Therapy (MAT)

12:00-12:15 Safe Injection Spaces

12:15-12:30 Closing comments and questions

Training objectives:

• Define “Harm Reduction” (HR)
• Discuss which attitudes do and do not fall under the HR umbrella
• Understand the primary principles underlying HR philosophy
• Explain and refute common stigmas that surround HR programs
• Review the history of Needle access programs in the USA
• Identify HR resources in Vermont, and explain what various programs provide
• Discuss overdose prevention with Naltrexone
• Review Medication Assisted Therapy and its various forms
• Understand safe injection spaces and their current legal status in the USA

3 Credits: NAADAC CU’s are approved; Social Worker CE’s and Allied MH CE’s pending