Providing Harm Reduction Services for Drug Users and Sex Workers from edX

Did you ever ask yourself how the perspective of substance users and sex workers differs from your own? How can drug consumption rooms work, or how can sex work be practised in a self-determined manner? These and other questions will be explored in the MOOC «Harm Reduction Services for Drug Users and Sex Workers».

The MOOC focuses on social and medical services that respect the human rights and personal autonomy of drug users and sex workers. Switzerland has pioneering institutions in this field and several years of methodological experience. Also, your instructors have many years of experience in the subject area.

The course shares this knowledge by providing professional insights into practice, presenting concrete facilities, and allowing participants to work on real projects. It is aimed at social and medical professionals working with drug users and sex workers worldwide. You will be empowered to work with drug users and sex workers according to human rights principles. You will also learn professional and methodological skills for working with target groups. We will ensure that you will recognize the life situation and living environment of the addressees and support them in their strategies for coping with life.

The course also thrives on you contributing your perspective on the topic and exchanging ideas with the other participants. Together, we will explore the question of how diverse the topic of harm reduction is implemented around the world. You can also work on your project as part of the course and receive instructor feedback on your thoughts and solutions.

What you'll learn

You will:

Recognize and distinguish between objective living conditions, subjective life world, and life coping skills of socially marginalized people.
Create an awareness of different social, economic, and legal environments in other countries and, therefore, be able to indicate similarities and differences.
Explain and exemplify the complexity of substance use and addiction/dependence.
Identify the different forms of sex work and regulations of sex work.
Distinguish between the terms resilience, capability, and vulnerability.
Recognize categories and labels on marginalized people and explain them from an intersectional perspective.
Describe the life circumstances of marginalized sex workers and differentiate between self-determined sex work and exploitation/ sex trafficking.
Explain the concept of harm reduction and judge its strengths and weaknesses.
Evaluate several harm reduction measures and explore the advantages and disadvantages of different harm reduction approaches.
Adapt to the client's capabilities and enable them to get a quick win.
Differentiate your priorities from your clients and analyze the different interests of different stakeholders.
Exemplify the principles of empowerment and explore skills and competencies needed to provide empowering services.
Engage yourself with the values and attitudes that you will need to work in harm reduction services

What's inside

Syllabus

Week 1: Introduction and First Steps

Take the opportunity to meet your instructors, our addresses, and your fellow participants. Dive into the topic of an «Ordinary World of Marginalized People» and take a closer look at the lives of our experts by experience.

Week 2: Understanding Substance Use and Sex Work

Uncover why, for what, and how people use psychoactive substances. Distinguish between self-regulated consumption and dependence. Look at different forms of regulation for sex work and different forms of sex work and your role as a social or health care worker.

Week 3: Obstacles and Stigmas

Learn and respect marginalized people's perspectives and analyze the dynamics between living conditions and coping actions. Learn about the discrimination of marginalized people and its effect on their life and well-being.

Week 4: Crossing the Threshold 1

Learn about the different harm reduction services for sex workers in Switzerland and discover that social work in the field of sex work is a complex profession that requires a wide variety of skills. Get to know the Harm Reduction concept and judge its strengths and weaknesses.

Week 5: Crossing the Threshold 2

Get insight into several harm reduction facilities for substance users in Switzerland and discuss their principles and functioning. Reflect on how working in harm reduction services means adapting to the client's capabilities, not overstraining or underrating them.

Week 6: Challenges

Set and justify priorities for harm reduction services that align with your clients' needs. Analyze the different interests of different stakeholders. Manage your skills and emotions and develop an empowering attitude.

Week 7: What if we all were a Team?

Talk about values and attitudes and check your principles. Reflect on your overall progress and knowledge gained, and conclude the course by formulating a vision for a better world.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Taught by instructors with years of experience in the field, who bring deep expertise and practical insights

Provides professional and methodological skills for working with target groups, empowering learners to effectively support marginalized individuals

Emphasizes human rights principles, encouraging learners to approach harm reduction services with respect and dignity

Offers opportunities for real-world project work, allowing learners to apply their knowledge and skills in a practical setting

Fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange among participants, encouraging diverse perspectives and innovative approaches

Requires self-reflection and values clarification, supporting learners in developing their own ethical and professional stance

Career center

Learners who complete Providing Harm Reduction Services for Drug Users and Sex Workers will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Harm Reduction Coordinator

Harm Reduction Coordinators plan, implement, and evaluate harm reduction programs. This course can help Harm Reduction Coordinators to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in this role. The course covers topics such as harm reduction principles, program planning, and evaluation, and it also provides information on how to work with drug users and sex workers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Harm Reduction Coordinator

Substance Abuse Counselor

Substance Abuse Counselors provide counseling and support to people with substance use disorders. This course can help Substance Abuse Counselors to better understand the needs of drug users and sex workers, who are more likely to experience substance use disorders. The course also provides information on how to provide harm reduction services to these populations, which can help to reduce their risk of overdose and other health problems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Substance Abuse Counselor

Harm Reduction Case Manager

This course helps build a foundation for Harm Reduction Case Managers by providing them with an understanding of the principles and practices of harm reduction, as well as the challenges and obstacles faced by drug users and sex workers. The course also covers topics such as stigma, discrimination, and empowerment, which are all essential for Harm Reduction Case Managers to be aware of in order to provide effective services to their clients.

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Outreach Worker

Outreach Workers provide services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. This course can help Outreach Workers to better understand the needs of drug users and sex workers, who are more likely to experience homelessness. The course also provides information on how to provide harm reduction services to these populations, which can help to improve their health and well-being.

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Program Manager

Program Managers plan, implement, and evaluate social service programs. This course can help Program Managers to develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in this role. The course covers topics such as program planning, budgeting, and evaluation, and it also provides information on how to work with drug users and sex workers.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Social Worker

Social Workers provide a range of services to help people who are facing challenges, including drug use, poverty, and homelessness. This course can help Social Workers to better understand the needs of drug users and sex workers, who are more likely to experience these challenges. The course also provides information on how to provide harm reduction services to these populations, which can help to improve their lives.

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Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support Specialists provide support and guidance to people with mental health conditions or substance use disorders. This course can help Peer Support Specialists to better understand the needs of drug users and sex workers, who are more likely to experience these conditions. The course also provides information on how to provide harm reduction services to these populations, which can help to improve their health and well-being.

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Health Educator

Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. This course can help Health Educators to better understand the health needs of drug users and sex workers, who are more likely to experience health problems than the general population. The course also provides information on how to develop and implement harm reduction programs, which can help to improve the health of these populations.

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HIV Counselor

HIV Counselors help people who are at risk of contracting HIV or who are living with HIV. This course can help HIV Counselors to better understand the needs of drug users and sex workers, who are disproportionately affected by HIV. The course also provides information on how to provide harm reduction services to these populations, which can help to reduce their risk of contracting HIV.

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Public Health Educator

Public Health Educators develop and implement educational programs to promote health and prevent disease. This course can help Public Health Educators to better understand the health needs of drug users and sex workers, who are more likely to experience health problems than the general population. The course also provides information on how to develop and implement harm reduction programs, which can help to improve the health of these populations.

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Social Justice Advocate

Social Justice Advocates work to promote social justice and equity for all people. This course can help Social Justice Advocates to better understand the needs of drug users and sex workers, who are often marginalized and discriminated against. The course also provides information on how to advocate for policies and programs that promote harm reduction and improve the lives of these populations.

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Policy Analyst

Policy Analysts develop and analyze policies that affect the health and well-being of populations. This course can help Policy Analysts to better understand the needs of drug users and sex workers, who are often marginalized and underserved by public policies. The course also provides information on how to develop and advocate for policies that promote harm reduction and improve the lives of these populations.

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Researcher

Researchers conduct studies to investigate the causes and consequences of social problems. This course can help Researchers to develop the skills and knowledge they need to conduct research on drug use and sex work. The course covers topics such as research design, data analysis, and writing research reports, and it also provides information on how to work with drug users and sex workers.

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Mental Health Counselor

Mental Health Counselors provide counseling and support to people with mental health conditions. This course can help Mental Health Counselors to better understand the mental health needs of drug users and sex workers, who are more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population. The course also provides information on how to provide harm reduction services to these populations, which can help to improve their mental health outcomes.

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Community Health Worker

Community Health Workers typically have a strong understanding of public health issues, which can be developed through taking courses on harm reduction. They also need to be able to build trusting relationships with clients, which can be enhanced by learning about the perspectives of marginalized people and the challenges they face. This course may be useful for Community Health Workers who want to learn more about working with drug users and sex workers.

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Providing Harm Reduction Services for Drug Users and Sex Workers

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