Session #1: Session Title: Developing Whole Person Health Systems to Support People Who Inject Drugs Session Description: Session Learning Objectives: Identify strategies for establishing a clinic designed to provide services to people who inject drugs (PWID) Discuss best practices for offering harm reduction services in rural areas Discuss integrating Hepatitis C navigation pathways in a substance use disorder treatment program Identify strategies for implementing low cost and easily accessible software to assess community needs, improve service delivery, and enhance data and reporting for harm reduction services Connect with other colleagues and groups working on safe consumption space organizing and advocacy in the United States Session Title: Utilizing Client-Focused Engagement to Increase Linkage to Care Session Description: Session Learning Objectives: Identify 3 benefits of patient advisory committees (PACs) Identify challenges to linking PWID to Hepatitis C treatment Discuss how to build relationships with people who use drugs Discuss strategies to engage PWUD/PWID through partnerships Identify tools designed for linking clients into HCV care and treatment Discuss the nationwide lack of access to culturally competent mental, substance use and behavioral health services for Latinx MSM Discuss the scope and challenges associated with crystal meth use in the Latinx MSM community Session #3: Session Title: Integrating Low-Barrier Substance Use and Harm Reduction Services Session Description: Session Learning Objectives: Discuss how to integrate SUD screening and MAT delivery in a primary care setting, and why this approach is essential in ramping up the response to the opioid crisis Identify how the Harm Reduction approach improves retention in care, decreases mortality, and allows for treatment of other health co-morbidities Identify the public health benefits of expanding access to MOUD for incarcerated populations and upon reentry Discuss the advantages of integrating and co-locating syringe service programming with services to treat OUD, including supporting mental and behavioral health, providing HCV testing and case management, and addressing other social determinants of health Examine what a client-centered approach means for people who inject and use drugs
People who inject drugs (PWID) face challenges in accessing whole-person health within the current health system landscape. This session will discuss how jurisdictions are implementing coordinated efforts to support PWID through syringe service programs (SSPs), Hepatitis C and STI testing, data-to-care models, and other support services. Additionally, this session will cover an update on safe consumption spaces and strategies to support this effort in the US.
Session #2:
Engaging with clients in the planning and delivery of healthcare services is a critical component for building relationships and achieving positive health outcomes. This session will discuss client engagement and cultural understanding as it relates to drug use, including utilizing community advisory boards, providing incentives, offering whole-person supportive programming, and promoting cultural awareness of clients.
Expanding access to substance use disorder treatment and support services is a priority for organizations serving PWID/PWUD. This session will cover the role of harm reduction, low-barrier support services, and HIV/HCV testing in comprehensive harm reduction programs. Presenters will discuss implementing routine HIV and HCV screening, integrating SUD screening in primary care, medication for opioid use disorder among reentry populations, and developing wraparound support services in syringe service programs.