MCCCD Program Description

Harm Reduction in Addiction, Substance Use, and Social Services

Course: BHS251

First Term: 2020 Fall

Lecture 3.0 Credit(s) 3.0 Period(s) 3.0 Load
Subject Type: Occupational
Load Formula: S - Standard Load

Description: Introduction to harm reduction principles, policies, programs, and practices that aim to reduce the adverse health, social and economic consequences of the use of legal and illegal drugs. This course will introduce behavioral health and social service providers as well as paraprofessional counselors to the theory and practice of harm reduction strategies in addiction, social service, and community settings.

MCCCD Official Course Competencies
1. Summarize basic principles of harm reduction treatment for substance users, alcohol users, and those with behavioral addictions. (I) 2. Understand the impact of drug policy and drug-related stigma on clients who use drugs. (I, II) 3. Identify the unique health care needs of drug using clients. (III, V) 4. Describe the stages of change for clients with chemical and behavioral addictions. (II, III) 5. Develop strategies for engaging clients in different stages of change and recovery. (IV) 6. Define motivational interviewing and describe its application in addiction and social services. (IV) 7. Describe the role of harm reduction strategies in infectious and communicable disease prevention and health education. (II, III, IV, V) 8. Identify legal and ethical considerations in harm reduction practices. (II, VI)
MCCCD Official Course Competencies must be coordinated with the content outline so that each major point in the outline serves one or more competencies. MCCCD faculty retains authority in determining the pedagogical approach, methodology, content sequencing, and assessment metrics for student work. Please see individual course syllabi for additional information, including specific course requirements.

MCCCD Official Course Outline
I. Harm reduction overview A. Harm reduction defined B. History of harm reduction in community health and addiction treatment C. Guiding principles of harm reduction II. History of drug use policy A. Relevant drug laws B. Stigma and drug use C. Common drugs of misuse D. Ethical considerations in harm reduction E. Legal considerations in harm reduction approaches III. Models of addiction development A. Medical model B. Psychological factors C. Social determinants of substance use IV. Working with individuals from harm reduction framework A. Nonjudgmental engagement B. Collaboration and collaborative goal setting C. Screening and assessment of risk D. Making appropriate referrals E. Cultural competence F. Transtheoretical model 1. Stages of change and harm reduction strategies 2. Motivational interviewing principles and strategies G. Harm reduction and overdose prevention 1. Naloxone 2. Needle exchange 3. Fentanyl test strips H. Medication assisted treatment and harm reduction 1. Methadone 2. Suboxone V. Harm reduction and infectious disease A. Harm reduction and high-risk behaviors B. Harm reduction and HIV/AIDS C. Harm reduction and Hepatitis D. Harm reduction and sexually transmitted infections VI. Harm reduction: policy, programs, and advocacy A. Harm reduction and health promotion B. Health equity and harm reduction C. Client advocacy D. Safer drug use E. Prevention programs and initiatives 1. Social determinants of health 2. Risk and protective factors F. Harm reduction and public policy G. Ethical and legal considerations in harm reduction policy and practice

MCCCD Governing Board Approval Date: February 25, 2020

All information published is subject to change without notice. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of information presented, but based on the dynamic nature of the curricular process, course and program information is subject to change in order to reflect the most current information available.