Harm Reduction Learning Institute
DC Health

Conference

Inspired. Invested. Engaged.

The DC Engage Drug User Health Conference

The annual DC Engage Drug User Health Conference is designed to build the capacity of community organizations, clinicians, and coalitions to implement culturally responsive, evidence-based, and inclusive drug user health initiatives and practices that help prevent opioid overdoses, reduce stigma, and promote equitable access to prevention, treatment, and support services in DC.

Top Reasons to Attend

  • Learn practical, evidence-based strategies you can immediately apply to strengthen overdose prevention, treatment, recovery, and community engagement efforts.
  • Hear from local experts, community leaders, and individuals with lived and living experience who are driving innovation in drug user health.
  • Explore innovative programs and promising practices through engaging breakout sessions, real-world case studies, and interactive discussions.
  • Gain valuable tools and resources to enhance service delivery, address stigma, improve health equity, and better meet the needs of people who use drugs.
  • Stay informed on emerging trends, policies, and best practices shaping the future of drug user health in Washington, DC and beyond.
  • Build meaningful connections with clinicians, public health professionals, drug user health organizations, researchers, advocates, and community partners working toward shared goals.

Archived Conference Sessions

  • Drug User Health in a Syndemic Environment – Strategies, Priorities, and Outcomes

    These group discussions focus on drug user health in a syndemic environment.

    Learn More: Drug User Health in a Syndemic Environment – Strategies, Priorities, and Outcomes

  • Self Care Discussion with DC Engage Micro-Grantees

    DC Engage’s annual Harm Reduction Conference brings together harm reductionists, community members, and experts to discuss the latest practices, techniques, and important issues in the harm reduction community.

    Learn More: Self Care Discussion with DC Engage Micro-Grantees

  • Harnessing the Fury: Overcoming Barriers, Unveiling Pathways, and Minimizing Harm

    Dive into a discourse centered on the policy limitations impeding the implementation of comprehensive HIV prevention programs for injection drug users. Uncover the pivotal role of policy change as a linchpin of public health action. Explore the transformative potential of research-driven insights and harm reduction approaches in minimizing the deleterious effects of HIV within this…

    Learn More: Harnessing the Fury: Overcoming Barriers, Unveiling Pathways, and Minimizing Harm

  • Drug User Health in a Syndemic Environment

    This session addresses challenges related to living and accessing services in a syndemic environment. It covers those strategies that ensure individuals are able to address co-morbidities. All four 2023 Harm Reduction Conference training sessions must be taken to receive a total of 3.25 credit hours.

    Learn More: Drug User Health in a Syndemic Environment

  • Social Justice/Language Justice

    This plenary focuses on how to eliminate and replace stigmatizing language and negative bias while also using person-first language within communities of people who struggle with substance use disorder to increase access to services and successful retention in care.

    Learn More: Social Justice/Language Justice

  • National Perspectives on Harm Reduction and Community Health

    This session describes the impact of drug use from a national and local perspective, examines the social impact of drug use on communities, and identifies national and local harm reduction activities. Surveillance data will be presented to highlight national and local trends.

    Learn More: National Perspectives on Harm Reduction and Community Health

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