Course Description

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.

What You Will Learn

At the completion of the course, you will be able to

  • 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.

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

Course CE Credits and Certificate Program

In partnership with Purdue University College of Pharmacy, Office of Continuing Education, Overdose Lifeline has developed layperson and clinician CE courses and Certificate Program on Addiction / Substance Use Disorder with an Opioid Specialization.

The course and the certificate program are structured to support the continuing educational needs of nursing professionals. An individual may pursue individual course CE credits or complete the entire Certificate Program (20 credits). 

CE Accreditation Statement:

Purdue University Continuing Nursing Education is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

This activity is approved for 3.0 contact hours.

Release Date:  09/30/2020

Expiration Date:  03/15/2025

Take Online Courses from Anywhere

Completing when it is convenient for you.

  • Video-based Online Learning

  • Highly Rated: 4.84 Rating. 92% Would Recommend.

  • On Your Schedule — At Your Own Pace

  • Progress is Tracked So You Can Pick Up Where You Left Off

  • Gain Knowledge or Fulfill Educational or Professional Requirements

  • Certificate Delivered Upon Successful Course Completion

What People Are Saying

The Guide to Harm Reduction Course


"Had a change of mindset and heart regarding some aspects of harm reduction. I now know more about harm reduction, the tools it has to offer, how it can help those with SUD, and will be able to apply what I have learned "

"The dispelling myths section about harm was helpful, especially being presented with the research and learning how harm reduction strategies encourages people who use drugs to seek treatment and reduces the risks to the general community."

"I found the harm reduction activities to be the most beneficial. It was helpful to see various activities outlined for different levels of care to improve engagement in treatment."

"The most important part of this course was the dispelling of myths behind harm reduction. It helps to connect people to the idea that harm reduction is a good thing, despite how it might be portrayed in the media. Also, the conversation about the historical aspects of criminalization of drugs and the connection to structural racism was incredibly valuable."
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Course Reviewers

Emma Roberts, Senior Director of National Capacity Building, National Harm Reduction Coalition (HRC). 

Originally from the UK, Emma Roberts started her career in community development work in 1990. She became involved in Harm Reduction in the mid 90's when the National Health Service funded a syringe exchange in a corner office of the community center she worked at. Since then Emma has gone on to manage and lead various community-based programs. She landed in New York in 2008 where she has coordinated a syringe exchange program and mobile health program providing medical and dental services to vulnerable street-based and un-housed populations in the city operating across South Bronx, Harlem, and parts of Brooklyn. 

Emma also worked for the Harm Reduction Coalition as a training consultant since 2009 and in 2014 joined the team fulltime. Her focus is to lead and manage the provision of technical assistance and support to programs promoting syringe access, drug user health, Hepatitis C services, and overdose prevention. When not at work Emma enjoys lots of dancing including organizing community events with a local dance collective Sankofa Soul, practicing yoga and eating.  

For more than 25 years, HRC has worked with communities to create, sustain, and expand evidence-based harm reduction programs and policies, harmreduction.org

Mary J. Didelot, PhD, LMHC, LCAC, NBCCH, BCPC, BC PTSD Clinician, Associate Professor of Education, School of Education and Counseling, Purdue University Northwest.

Additional Course Notes

  • The course may be accessed from a computer, tablet or mobile device. Internet access is required as are speakers for audio.

  • The following web browsers are supported: Desktop - Firefox, Safari, Chrome, and Edge. Note the course platform does not support Internet Explorer. Mobile - iOS Safari: 11 and up, Chrome, Samsung Internet.

  • The course will remain available in your account for six months - allowing you to complete the course at your own pace and return to the course later for review of key concepts.

  • All faculty, staff and reviewers involved in the planning, review or presentation of continuing education activities provided by Purdue University College of Pharmacy are required to disclose to the audience any commercial financial affiliations with ineligible companies related to the content of the presentation or enduring material. All planning committee members, writers, staff and reviewers of Overdose Lifeline and Purdue University have no relationships to disclose.

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