5.30.2025 10am-12pm – Abstinence is part of Harm Reduction: The Umbrella of Harm Reduction (virtual)
Friday, May 30, 2025, 10am-12pm
Training Overview:
This course is designed to explore the growing perceived riff that has reemerged between abstinence-based models of treatment and harm reduction-based treatment models for substance use treatment. A counter to this narrative will be central to this workshop identifying how this narrative has been politically driven and not treatment generated or focused in this time of overdose crisis. This training will provide an introduction to the Umbrella of Harm Reduction Services and discuss the menu of treatment options in harm reduction treatment that includes abstinence as option.
At the conclusion of this training, participants should be able to:
- describe at least two reasons why it is important to use person-first language for people who use drugs.
- identify at least two of the treatment options of the Menu of Options.
- incorporate the Continuum of Drug Use, to assess that not drug use is abuse, in their assessment with clients.
- describe at least two ways the riff has reemerged between abstinence-based models of treatment and harm reduction-based treatment models for substance use treatment.
Facilitator: Maurice Byrd, LMFT (He/Him/His)
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.
