This full day workshop covers essential knowledge and skills for all practitioners working in alcohol and drug and mental health settings who provide direct support to people who use substances. It contains detailed information about specific substances and their associated risks along with practical advice people can use to reduce their risk of experiencing harm.  As such this workshop is not targeted towards generalist health and community workers or those employed within policy or statutory settings.

By the end of this workshop learners will be able to:

• Demonstrate an understanding of the ethical principles and philosophy of harm reduction as it applies to substance use.
• Understand the benefits of adopting a harm reduction approach with people who use substances.
• Implement a range of universal harm reduction strategies suitable for any situation where substances are being used.
• Explain the different risks associated with the various routes of administration for substance use.
• Understand the specific risks and associated targeted harm reduction strategies for alcohol, inhalants, benzodiazepines, opioids, cannabis, methamphetamine, cocaine and hallucinogens.