Introduction to Drug User Health: Principles and Practice
Introduction to Drug User Health offers a foundational overview of drug user health strategies to support people who use drugs. Participants will explore key terms, health risks tied to drug use, and the role of OADPOP in Maryland. The training emphasizes nonjudgmental, practical approaches for safer use, building trust, and promoting public health.
Learning Objectives:
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Define Drug User Health and its core values.
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Identify three effective Drug User Health strategies.
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Describe protections under Maryland’s Good Samaritan Law.
Understanding Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs: Purpose and Impact
Comprehensive overview of OADPOPs, what they do, how they prevent HIV/HCV, and their role in community health.
Learning Objectives:
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Define drug user health as it relates to drug use.
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Define services provided by Maryland’s Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs.
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Identify outreach strategies to promote Drug User Health.
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Discuss the impact of Maryland’s Opioid-Associated Disease Prevention and Outreach Programs on reducing infectious disease transmission.
Motivational Interviewing for Drug User Health Settings
Motivational interviewing is an evidence-based approach utilizing person-centered conversation that supports individuals in making behavior changes. This collaborative, non-judgmental approach honors the autonomy of the individual. Motivational interviewing can be a powerful tool in helping clients discover their own reasons for making a change. Effective motivational interviewing takes time and practice to master, but there are plenty of simple techniques that workers can adopt to better assist their clients.
This module will provide you with a working knowledge of motivational interviewing and foundational skills to integrate motivational interviewing into your organization.
Learning Objectives:
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Explain motivational interviewing principles.
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Define the 8 stages to acquire expertise using motivational interviewing.
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Describe how to use OARS as a tool in motivational interviewing conversations.
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Explain the Stages of Change/Transtheoretical Model.
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List the key principles for using motivational interviewing with a client.
Tools and approaches for connecting with people who use drugs in community-based settings.
Learning Objectives
Develop authentic, innovative, and respectful engagement strategies.
Identify the importance of utilizing peers and community partners in outreach
Apply outreach principles to reach diverse communities.
Discuss reasons for distrust of government, healthcare, law enforcement, and community workers
Practical approaches to managing conflict and maintaining safety in outreach community interactions.
Learning Objectives:
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Identify factors that escalate conflict.
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Implement de-escalation techniques.
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Strengthen communication in high-stress situations.
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Identify how to walk away and choose not to serve a person who is being too aggressive or attempting to harm or manipulate the situation.
