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.
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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.
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:
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Recognize and distinguish between objective living conditions, subjective life world, and life coping skills of socially marginalized people.
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Create an awareness of different social, economic, and legal environments in other countries and, therefore, be able to indicate similarities and differences.
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Explain and exemplify the complexity of substance use and addiction/dependence.
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Identify the different forms of sex work and regulations of sex work.
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Distinguish between the terms resilience, capability, and vulnerability.
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Recognize categories and labels on marginalized people and explain them from an intersectional perspective.
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Describe the life circumstances of marginalized sex workers and differentiate between self-determined sex work and exploitation/ sex trafficking.
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Explain the concept of harm reduction and judge its strengths and weaknesses.
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Evaluate several harm reduction measures and explore the advantages and disadvantages of different harm reduction approaches.
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Adapt to the client's capabilities and enable them to get a quick win.
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Differentiate your priorities from your clients and analyze the different interests of different stakeholders.
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Exemplify the principles of empowerment and explore skills and competencies needed to provide empowering services.
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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.
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Syllabus
Good to know
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Activities
Review key concepts of substance use and sex work
Show steps
Having a solid understanding of these concepts will provide a strong foundation for the rest of the course.
Browse courses on
Substance Use
Show steps
-
Read the course syllabus and identify the key concepts.
-
Review your notes or textbooks from previous courses
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Conduct an online search to gather additional information.
Review life case scenarios of drug users and sex workers
Show steps
This review can help you recall past knowledge about drug use patterns, behaviors, and potential interventions
Browse courses on
Substance Use
Show steps
-
Make a list of common life case scenarios for drug users
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List the potential healthcare and social interventions for each scenario
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Summarise each scenario into short bullet points for future reference
Explore case studies of harm reduction services
Show steps
Examining real-world examples will help you understand how harm reduction principles are applied in practice.
Browse courses on
Harm Reduction
Show steps
-
Find case studies from reputable sources, such as academic journals or non-profit organizations.
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Read and analyze the case studies, paying attention to the challenges and successes of the services.
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Write a summary or reflection on what you learned from the case studies.
Five other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all eight activities
Engage in peer discussions on harm reduction
Show steps
Participating in peer discussions will allow you to share your perspectives, learn from others, and gain a deeper understanding of harm reduction from multiple viewpoints.
Show steps
-
Identify or create a peer group of individuals interested in harm reduction.
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Choose a topic or issue related to harm reduction for discussion.
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Facilitate the discussion, ensuring that all participants have an opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences.
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Summarize the key points and insights from the discussion.
Role-play client interactions
Show steps
Practicing effective communication and interpersonal skills will enhance your ability to work with drug users and sex workers.
Browse courses on
Communication Skills
Show steps
-
Find a partner to role-play with.
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Choose a scenario that reflects a common client interaction.
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Take turns playing the role of the client and the service provider.
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Reflect on the experience and identify areas for improvement.
Volunteer at a harm reduction organization
Show steps
Volunteering at a harm reduction organization will provide you with hands-on experience and insights into the practical implementation of harm reduction strategies.
Browse courses on
Community Involvement
Show steps
-
Research and identify harm reduction organizations in your area that offer volunteer opportunities.
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Contact the organizations and inquire about their volunteer programs.
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Complete any necessary training or orientation programs required by the organization.
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Participate actively in volunteer activities, such as providing support to clients, conducting outreach, or assisting with administrative tasks.
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Reflect on your experiences and identify areas where you can contribute your skills and knowledge.
Develop a harm reduction intervention plan
Show steps
Creating an intervention plan will allow you to apply the principles of harm reduction to a specific population and service delivery context.
Browse courses on
Harm Reduction
Show steps
-
Identify a specific population and service delivery setting.
-
Research the needs and challenges of the population.
-
Develop goals and objectives for the intervention plan.
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Design strategies and activities to achieve the goals.
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Evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention plan.
Develop a harm reduction intervention plan
Show steps
Creating a harm reduction intervention plan will allow you to apply your knowledge and skills to a practical scenario, enhancing your ability to design and implement effective interventions.
Show steps
-
Identify a specific population or setting where you want to develop a harm reduction intervention.
-
Conduct a needs assessment to gather information about the target population and their needs.
-
Research and select evidence-based harm reduction interventions that are appropriate for the target population.
-
Develop a detailed implementation plan outlining the steps involved in carrying out the intervention.
-
Identify potential barriers and challenges to implementation and develop strategies to overcome them.
Review key concepts of substance use and sex work
Show steps
Having a solid understanding of these concepts will provide a strong foundation for the rest of the course.
Browse courses on
Substance Use
Show steps
- Read the course syllabus and identify the key concepts.
- Review your notes or textbooks from previous courses
- Conduct an online search to gather additional information.
Review life case scenarios of drug users and sex workers
Show steps
This review can help you recall past knowledge about drug use patterns, behaviors, and potential interventions
Browse courses on
Substance Use
Show steps
- Make a list of common life case scenarios for drug users
- List the potential healthcare and social interventions for each scenario
- Summarise each scenario into short bullet points for future reference
Explore case studies of harm reduction services
Show steps
Examining real-world examples will help you understand how harm reduction principles are applied in practice.
Browse courses on
Harm Reduction
Show steps
- Find case studies from reputable sources, such as academic journals or non-profit organizations.
- Read and analyze the case studies, paying attention to the challenges and successes of the services.
- Write a summary or reflection on what you learned from the case studies.
Engage in peer discussions on harm reduction
Show steps
Participating in peer discussions will allow you to share your perspectives, learn from others, and gain a deeper understanding of harm reduction from multiple viewpoints.
Show steps
- Identify or create a peer group of individuals interested in harm reduction.
- Choose a topic or issue related to harm reduction for discussion.
- Facilitate the discussion, ensuring that all participants have an opportunity to share their thoughts and experiences.
- Summarize the key points and insights from the discussion.
Role-play client interactions
Show steps
Practicing effective communication and interpersonal skills will enhance your ability to work with drug users and sex workers.
Browse courses on
Communication Skills
Show steps
- Find a partner to role-play with.
- Choose a scenario that reflects a common client interaction.
- Take turns playing the role of the client and the service provider.
- Reflect on the experience and identify areas for improvement.
Volunteer at a harm reduction organization
Show steps
Volunteering at a harm reduction organization will provide you with hands-on experience and insights into the practical implementation of harm reduction strategies.
Browse courses on
Community Involvement
Show steps
- Research and identify harm reduction organizations in your area that offer volunteer opportunities.
- Contact the organizations and inquire about their volunteer programs.
- Complete any necessary training or orientation programs required by the organization.
- Participate actively in volunteer activities, such as providing support to clients, conducting outreach, or assisting with administrative tasks.
- Reflect on your experiences and identify areas where you can contribute your skills and knowledge.
Develop a harm reduction intervention plan
Show steps
Creating an intervention plan will allow you to apply the principles of harm reduction to a specific population and service delivery context.
Browse courses on
Harm Reduction
Show steps
- Identify a specific population and service delivery setting.
- Research the needs and challenges of the population.
- Develop goals and objectives for the intervention plan.
- Design strategies and activities to achieve the goals.
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the intervention plan.
Develop a harm reduction intervention plan
Show steps
Creating a harm reduction intervention plan will allow you to apply your knowledge and skills to a practical scenario, enhancing your ability to design and implement effective interventions.
Show steps
- Identify a specific population or setting where you want to develop a harm reduction intervention.
- Conduct a needs assessment to gather information about the target population and their needs.
- Research and select evidence-based harm reduction interventions that are appropriate for the target population.
- Develop a detailed implementation plan outlining the steps involved in carrying out the intervention.
- Identify potential barriers and challenges to implementation and develop strategies to overcome them.
Career center
Harm Reduction Coordinator
Substance Abuse Counselor
Harm Reduction Case Manager
Outreach Worker
Program Manager
Social Worker
Peer Support Specialist
Health Educator
HIV Counselor
Public Health Educator
Social Justice Advocate
Policy Analyst
Researcher
Mental Health Counselor
Community Health Worker
Reading list
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