Involving People Who Use Drugs to Design and Deliver Health Promotion Programs for the Population of People Who Use Drugs

People who inject drugs (PWID) can play an important role in developing effective programs to address the opioid crisis. However, their involvement can lead to unique challenges as well as benefits. 

In this free webinar, attendees will learn the history of harm reduction along with the formative role of people who use drugs (PWUD) in addition to the challenges associated with people who inject drugs (PWID). The session will also teach attendees the process of learning how to operate and govern a community-based organization where PWID plays a central role.

 Upon completion of this webinar, attendees will be able to:

• To learn about the history of harm reduction and the formative role PWUD played in the creation of needle exchange, overdose education and naloxone distribution, fentanyl test strip circulation, among others
• To understand the challenges and benefits associated with involving PWID in policymaking, programmatic development and service delivery to address the opioid epidemic
• To obtain examples of strategies that harm reduction organizations have employed to include PWUD in program operations. Syringe services programs will serve as the main example, but information on drug user unions, peer-driven outreach, and safer injection education will be offered