INTRODUCTION TO HARM REDUCTION Lesson 2 DO NOW

INTRODUCTION TO HARM REDUCTION Lesson 2

DO NOW: (5 minutes) 1 2 3 1. Identify the harm reduction strategies in these pictures. 2. Based on the examples in the pictures, how would you define “harm reduction”? Bonus: Identify 1 -3 more harm reduction strategies. 2 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

LESSON OBJECTIVES After completing this lesson: ❏I can define the term “harm reduction. ” ❏I can identify key harm reduction strategies. ❏I can identify the ways in which drug use may potentially harm me. - Health-related harms Academic harms Legal harms Social-emotional harms 3 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

BRAINSTORM: WHY DO TEENS USE DRUGS? • Curiosity • To feel better • To fit in • To improve performance • For fun 4 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

WHICH IS THE MOST FREQUENTLY USED DRUG AMONG TEENS? 5 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst A Alcohol B Marijuana C Prescription drugs D Tobacco

HOW HAS TEEN DRUG USE CHANGED SINCE THE 90 s? 6 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst A B C Less drug use The same amount of drug use More drug use

FEWER TEENS USE DRUGS • Use of cigarettes and alcohol has reached its lowest levels. • Use of any illicit drug (other than marijuana) has declined. • Use of marijuana has declined among 8 th and 10 th graders, but held steady for 12 th graders. • Prescription opioid misuse has declined among 12 th graders. 7 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

UNDERSTANDING THE CONTINUUM Experimental usage Non-use/Abstinence Recreational use 8 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst Regular use Dependence Misuse

UNDERSTANDING THE CONTINUUM 1 2 Michelle felt left out at the party, so she took some MDMA (or molly) when it was offered. Tim drinks alcohol only on Fridays, and never when he has a soccer game the next day. Damon has friends who use drugs, but he’s not interested. 4 Grace only smokes cigarettes when she’s at parties. 5 Sarah missed her morning coffee today. Now she has a headache. 3 9 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst 6 Mateo takes double his prescribed dosage of Adderall® before a test because he feels like it will help him focus more.

UNDERSTANDING THE CONTINUUM Experimental usage Non-use/Abstinence Recreational use 10 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst Dependence Regular use Misuse

PEOPLE WHO USE DRUGS AREN’T BAD PEOPLE. 11 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

DRUG-RELATED HARMS Drug-related harms for teens generally break down into four major areas. 1. Physical harms 2. Academic harms 3. Social-emotional harms 4. Legal harms 12 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

PHYSICAL HARMS ACADEMIC HARMS LEGAL HARMS SOCIALEMOTIONAL HARMS - Addiction/ dependence - Suspended or expelled from school - Pay fines - Organ damage - Removed from athletic teams or school clubs - Make underlying depression or anxiety worse - Accidental injury or death - Transmission of disease - Denied entrance into college - Sexual assault - Refused scholarships and federal student loans - Overdose death 13 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst - Perform community service - Attend mandatory classes - Be arrested - Sent to a juvenile detention center or jail - Cause conflicts with friends, family or teachers - Families being split apart

HARM REDUCTION Harm reduction is a set of strategies that encourage the safest and healthiest choice. 14 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION IN ACTION YES Situation 1: Matt paces himself by drinking one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage he drinks. Is he practicing harm reduction? NO Situation 2: Lisa is stressed out about a big test tomorrow. She decides to join some friends in smoking marijuana to relax. Is she practicing harm reduction? 15 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst NO Situation 3: Maria had a few drinks at a party and plans to drink some coffee to sober up before driving home. Is she practicing harm reduction?

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 1. ABSTINENCE. 6. SET AND SETTING. 2. DEVELOP DRUG KNOWLEDGE. 7. CHECK THE SUBSTANCE. 3. DOSE AND DOSAGE. 8. DON’T MIX SUBSTANCES. 4. START LOW AND GO SLOW. 9. KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO AN EMERGENCY. 5. CONSIDER MODERATION. 16 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst 10. KNOW DRUG POLICY.

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 1. ABSTINENCE It’s always safest not to use alcohol or other drugs. 17 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 2. DEVELOP DRUG KNOWLEDGE Everyone needs to know basic effects, risks, benefits and harms. 18 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 3. DOSE AND DOSAGE How much? How often? 19 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 4. START LOW AND GO SLOW 20 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 5. CONSIDER MODERATION 21 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 6. SET AND SETTING Set refers to someone’s thoughts and emotions. Setting refers to the physical and social environment. 22 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 7. CHECK THE SUBSTANCE Drug checking allows a person to get more information about what’s actually in a substance. 23 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 8. DON’T MIX SUBSTANCES 24 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 9. KNOW HOW TO RESPOND TO AN EMERGENCY Never be afraid to call 911 or seek medical help! Good Samaritan Laws protect people who call 911 for help. 25 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES 10. KNOW DRUG POLICY 26 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES Scenario 1 INDIRA AND THE PARTY 27 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

HARM REDUCTION STRATEGIES Scenario 2 NICK AND THE GROUP PROJECT 28 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst

EXIT TICKET Describe two harm reduction strategies and explain a situation(s) you could potentially use them to help reduce harm. 29 • Lesson 2: Introduction to Harm Reduction • drugpolicy. org/safetyfirst