About the Trainer Program

This trainer course will teach you how to deliver the program within your community(ies). To earn trainer designation, individuals complete one or more prerequisite courses and program training via the web. Materials provided via the Trainer Resource Center allows program delivery via on-site or webinar settings.  

The purpose of this course is to convey a working understanding of harm reduction (HR) as it is applied to substance use disorder.

Harm reduction incorporates a spectrum of evidence-based and evidence-informed strategies from safer use, to managed use, to abstinence to meet drug users “where they're at" and addressing conditions of use along with the use itself.

In this course you will learn the benefits of harm reduction and how strategies can be applied to reduce harm and further complications from drug use and reduce the harm and risks to the community. The course will dispel some common myths of harm reduction and illustrate where it fits within the continuum of substance use (SUD) treatment and recovery. Participants will gain an understanding of harm reduction principles and services and will be able to define what it means to “practice” harm reduction.

Practicing harm reduction is not simply the act of doing harm reduction like things. It’s not simply securing a grant and funding and distributing naloxone (the overdose reversal drug) within a community. It is to apply Harm Reduction Principles and Philosophies to strategies and interventions. Then and only then is one practicing harm reduction.

This course is for individuals, healthcare professionals, and groups and organizations who are working to prevent and reduce the effects of substance use disorder and the opioid public health crisis. This includes, but not limited to:

Businesses, coalition and community members, correctional facilities, educators, faith groups, government, health care professionals, parents and caregivers, pharmacies, school nurses, senior living facilities, sober living communities, treatment & recovery centers, etc.

Download Overview PDF

Guide-to-Harm-Reduction-GHR-CE-Trainer-Course-2020.pdf


Trainer Program Fees

Training and Annual License Fees

  • Training Fee: $255/person
    Includes the Opioid Public Health Crisis online prerequisite course, a Guide to Harm Reduction online course and live web training, trainer's kit, updates, and access to the online resource center.

  • Annual License Fee: Individual $200 or Group $400
    There are two options for the Annual Program License fee, $200 for one trainer or $400 for a group license. The group rate provides access for two or more trainers within an organization to use the materials.

    The license provides access to all the program materials, the online resource center, technical assistance, and program updates during the 12-month licensing period. License renewal is required to use the materials beyond the first 12 months.

Next Step > Contact Us

We ask that our partners contact us prior to purchase. This will give us the opportunity to answer all your questions, review how the programming may be customized for your community, discuss multi-program discounts, and provide you with a quote.

When you're ready, contact us: Fill out the form, email us or call 844.554.3354, ext 4 for more information.

Learning Objectives

  • Define harm reduction as it is used in engaging people who use drugs into services and support.

  • List a minimum of four benefits of harm reduction for the individual and/or community.

  • Discuss the history of harm reduction and where it fits today in the continuum of SUD treatment and recovery.

  • Identify the principles and philosophy of harm reduction and examples of harm reduction tools and services.

  • Recognize an effective Harm Reduction practice in contrast to a practice which does not apply harm reduction principles to the services / tools.

Trainer Program Resources

Program materials available through the trainer resource center

  • Program Delivery

    Presentation PowerPoint with trainer notes and complete script. Multiple versions for different training lengths and customizable.

  • For Your Attendees

    Attendee pre-post survey, handouts (quick reference sheet, course notes, additional resources), breakout activities, poll questions, certificate of attendance, customizable flyers, social media graphics and more.

  • Additional Resources

    Trainer's receive CE Credit for accredited courses completed during the training process.

    COMING SOON: Special attendee discount for additional online learning courses from Overdose Lifeline.

Trainer Training Process

  • Register: You will be asked to register as a trainer/facilitator of the program.

  • Prerequisite: You will complete the Opioid Public Health Crisis prerequisite online course as the first part of your training process.

  • Program Course: Then you will take the Guide to Harm Reduction online course to help familiarize yourself with the concepts and information.

  • Coaching & Technical Assistance: Once you have completed steps 1-3, a live web meeting will be scheduled to review the program materials and toolset to help prepare you for your first delivery of the program.

  • Resource Center: Access to the Trainer Resource Center and program materials.

Guide to Harm Reduction (GHR-TR) Trainer

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