Bridging HIV & SUD Training Series

“I learned a lot about substance use and my responsibility to know more so I can best serve my clients. Harm reduction can be more than just education, but having supplies on hand to give to clients so they can be safe. The Chemsex webinar was extremely illuminating and has inspired me to do more research so I can best support my clients.”

“The webinars helped me to understand current terms and how to interact with the Overdose and Infectious Disease crisis. Some of the work I do also involves harm reduction and Hepatitis testing and care, so it is helpful in gaining more information that can contribute to Hepatitis risk factors. Connects information for me working in Hepatitis and risk factors.”

“Information and techniques to support my clients who use drugs. I am more equipped to talk to my clients about their drug use from a place of understanding while eliminating stigma.”

“The wide variety of harm reduction practices and programs throughout the states. Harm reduction has always been a passion of mine as I prefer practical solutions. My current employment setting does not allow for much hands on in this area but I have started exploring options to engage in assisting local efforts.”

“More ideas on how to spread awareness and education general population on overdose prevention. I provide Narcan trainings to community members and local organizations/businesses, so it has provided me with more ideas in how to better provide the information in my training and reach more people.”

“Breaking down barriers is not always easy, learning from those doing direct services is helpful and gives me information to share with the sites I work with.”

“Learning a lot of newer terminology and having a person present that has lived experience is a game changer.”

“Good networking information. Better information to share with co-workers.” Counselor,

“[The webinars] gave me more tools to add to my toolbox when working with my clients.”

“ [Takeaways include] new knowledge and strategies for intervention. Excellent presentation and excellent knowledge.”

“ The academic themes are attractive, the reality is complex and complicated, bureaucratic, budgetary, mobility aspects are crossed, yes, the social conditions of the diseases also affect service providers. Even so, there remains the hope of serving and improving a large number of people. Each and every one [have impacted the work I do].”

“[Takeaways include] examining substance use of persons living with HIV. I planned and organized a training focusing on Chemsex, substance use and harm reduction to public health professionals.”

“[Takeaways include] the need to stay updated on latest data and services that other providers/organizations are doing.”

“I learned about more strategies and resources for advocating for more inclusive healthcare for my fellow tribal members. I was able to advocate for a change to our formulary to include gender affirming medication and PrEP.”

“[Takeaways include] new information to share with the owner and work to make changes in practice. "

“[The webinars] were well presented and I was left learning something new and that I can use in my work. They helped me and I was then able to bring it back and share the information with co-workers.”

“[The webinars have allowed me to] help guide patients with more up to date information and added more tools to my personal toolkit.”

“[Takeaways include] broader understanding of harm reduction and substance use disorder. I continue to advocate for safe use spaces, and I now manage a syringe exchange.”

“[Takeaways include] prescription options. Test all, offer prescription options.”