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05.21.2025 2 pm to 4 pm Safer Use and Safety Planning (virtual)

May 21, 2025 2 pm – 4 PM

Training Overview:

This session focuses on basic knowledge about the drugs that are commonly used by participants at Syringe Service Programs (SSPs). We will review basic information about how drugs are used, why they are used, and ways to reduce the harms from using drugs, including effective safety planning strategies. The training will provide an overview of how to engage program participants/clients in conversations around safety planning  by discussing potential harms that can be reduced and participants will learn how to use Harm Reduction methods to engage with people who use drugs and better understand their experience.

Training objectives:

At the conclusion of this training, participants should be able to:

  • List three safety planning strategies that porivers can discuss with program participants.
  • Describe three safer use tactics.
  • Identify contrate approaches to better engage program participants.

Facilitator: Melissa Matheney


Continuing education units (CEUs) are available thanks to the Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) for the following disciplines:  

  • Certified Addiction Professionals (CCAPP)
  • Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSW)
  • Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP)
  • Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFT)
  • Licensed Professional Clinical Counselors (LPCC)
  • Registered Nurses (RN)

Equity Statement

The San Francisco Department of Public Health is committed to leading with race and prioritizing Intersectionality, including sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, language, and ability. SFDPH strives to move forward on the continuum of becoming an anti-racist institution through dismantling racism, building, building solidarity among racial groups, and working towards becoming a Trauma-Informed/Trauma Healing Organization in partnership with staff, clients, communities, and our contractors. When attending, SFDP trainings, events, and/or meetings, we uphold expectations and standards of rules of engagement for our employees and contractors. We expect that all participants operate in professional integrity and adhere to the DPH Employee Code of Conduct or their employee conduct. Participants will be accountable for upholding any group agreements provided by the trainer or host and uphold principles of transparency, confidentiality and respect. We support respectful participation across intersecting identities and experiences including race, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexual orientation, age, class, nationality, religion, language, physical and mental ability, and political ideology. While we strive to make an space of inclusivity, belonging, and hub for various perspective, we do not tolerate any inappropriate behavior or comments rooted in anti-blackness, homophobia, transphobia, xenophobia, sexism, or any comments or behavior that is discriminatory, disruptive, or divisive. If participants cannot abide by these expectations, they will be removed from the training or event and will not be allowed to attend any additional DPH trainings, event, and/or meetings. Trainers have been informed to notify DPH of any misconduct and a DPH representative will follow up with that employee’s supervisor or participant’s agency regarding the misconduct.

Course Content

Lessons Status