Addressing Sexual Risk with Drug Users and their Partners

6.5 OASAS credits (not approved for initial CPS credentialing)

This one-day training will build participant knowledge and skills in offering sexual harm reduction options to substance users. Although expanded access to syringes and drug treatment options have helped people greatly reduce their substance use-related risks for HIV, the latest research shows that sexual risk behaviors play a significant role in new cases of HIV among people who use drugs and alcohol.

As a result of this training, participants will be able to:

• Recall the latest research that shows how expanded access to syringes and methadone maintenance programs has greatly reduced the number of new cases of HIV from substance use-related risk;
• Identify and discuss sexual risk behaviors clients engage in when using drugs and alcohol;
• Identify harm reduction strategies for reducing sexual risk among people who use drugs and alcohol; and
• Practice harm reduction messages tailored to sexual behaviors for people who use drugs and alcohol.

Prerequisite: It is strongly recommended that participants have attended the AIDS Institute training, “Reducing the Risk and Harm of HIV,” or have a working knowledge of harm reduction and addiction.
Audience: All health and human services providers.