Injury-Free NC, a collaboration between the North Carolina Division of Public Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Branch and the University of North Carolina’s Injury Prevention Research Center, is excited to launch the application for the 2022 Injury-Free NC Academy on Harm Reduction as Transformative Practice. The purpose of this Academy is to work with community-based organizations, local health departments, coalitions, and individuals who are planning or have taken steps to establish an overdose prevention or harm reduction program or want to learn more about harm reduction principles and how to incorporate them into overdose prevention work.
This Academy will take place in two parts. Participants will first attend a webinar on February 23, 2022 from 10 am – 1 pm, and will later attend a 3-day immersive session on either April 19, 20, & 28 (Session 1) or July 26, 27, and August 4 (Session 2). The required webinar will serve as an introduction to harm reduction philosophy and practice, provide a history of the drug war, and will set the foundation for the immersive sessions. The webinar will also be open to interested individuals who are unable to attend the immersive Academy sessions. You can register for the February 23rd webinar here.
The current plan is to hold the first two days of each immersive session (April 19-20 and July 26-27) virtually, with the final day of each (April 28 and August 4) held in-person. Given the rapidly changing landscape of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person sessions may need to transition to a virtual format. Organizers will follow public health guidance and will notify Academy participants if any changes are made. Any in-person events will follow up-to-date health and safety guidelines.
Applications are due by 5 PM ET on January 26. You can also learn more by viewing the full info packet.
For questions, email Megan Lueck at mlueck@unc.edu.