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CEU Course Description

The US is currently experiencing significant substance use and overdose epidemic. Harm reduction is a public health approach that is critical in keeping people who use drugs alive and as healthy as possible.  Harm reduction refers to policies and practices that prioritize engaging directly with people who misuse substances to prevent overdoses and infectious disease transmission and to improve the physical, mental, and social well-being of those served. Such strategies emphasize justice and human rights and focus on positive interactions that occur without judgment, coercion, discrimination, or abstinence as a condition of treatment. This course will educate professionals on the basic principles of harm reduction and how it can be implemented for prevention, treatment, and recovery. 

Author: Kimberly H. Fortin, LCSW-R

References / Contributions by:

1. CDC (2018). Evidence-Based Strategies for Preventing Opioid Overdose. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Retrieved April 2023. https:// www.cdc.gov/drugoverdose/pdf/pubs/2018-evidence-based-strategies.pdf
2. Dance Safe (2023). Dance Safe - About Us. Retrieved April 2023. https://dancesafe.org/about-us/
3. Heading Home (2021). Housing First Model: An Evidence Based Approach to Ending Homelessness. Retrieved April 2023. https:// www.headinghomeinc.org/housing-first-model/
4. NIH (2021). Overdose Prevention Centers. National Institutes of Health. Retrieved April 2023. https://nida.nih.gov/sites/default/files/NIH-RTC-Overdose- Prevention-Centers.pdf
5. SAMSHA (2022). Harm Reduction. Retrieved April 2023. https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/harm-reduction

CEU Course Objectives

1. Identify the principles, benefits, and drawbacks of harm reduction. 
2. Explore how harm reduction is implemented during prevention, treatment, and recovery. 
3. Examine what services and resources are needed to implement harm reduction programs successfully.

CE Outline with Main Points

1. Introduction
2. Harm Reduction Definition
3. Harm Reduction Services 
4. Principles of Harm Reduction
5. Stages of Change
6. Benefits of Harm Reduction 
7. Misconceptions About Harm Reduction
8. Continuum of Care
9. Providing Harm Reduction Services
10. Evidence-Based Harm Reduction Services 
11. Harm Reduction Programs
12. Conclusion
13. References
14. Appendix A: Glossary of Abbreviations

Total Time: 2 Hours
Course Level: Introductory

Social Work Approval

Social Work CE Credit for this course is offered with the following approvals. Many state boards of social work will accept the approvals listed. Provider Approvals by state and license type can be found here.

• Quantum Units Education is approved by the California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists, CAMFT Provider #89970, to sponsor continuing education for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEP. Quantum Units Education maintains responsibility for this program/course and its content.
• Florida board for Social Workers CE Provider #50-8650 (Quantum 'immediately' reports CE Credits to Florida licensees) 
• Illinois Department of Professional Regulation, License No. 159.001261 approved CE Sponsor
• Ohio CSWMFTB #RCST091701 approved CE Provider
• Texas Board of SWE #5070 approved CE Provider
• Quantum Units Education, #1289, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 01/03/2023 - 01/03/2026. Social workers completing this course receive 2.00 'General' continuing education credits.

To see other approvals in your state, see our state by state provider approval listings here.

Course Development: Each course is identified and reviewed by the appropriate Quantum Units Education consultant with professional and licensed expertise in the various disciplines we serve. Our professional consultants oversee course development to satisfy the needs of various professionals based on their board requirements, rate course degrees of difficulty and ensure the course content and exam questions are appropriate, relevant and comprehensive. See our professional staff and their bios here.

*Questions regarding how to take a course, refunds, grievance policy and ADA policy can be found here.
*Questions regarding this course or need support? Contact us at support@quantumunitsed.com.

Added On: 12/31/1969