The Injury-Free NC (IFNC) Academy is a training and program development resource for injury and violence prevention practitioners in North Carolina. Each cycle of the Injury-Free NC Academy focuses on a timely topic affecting North Carolinians.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are adapting our academy sessions on establishing syringe services programs in North Carolina to an online platform. Beginning on May 20, we will offer a new webinar each Wednesday that will cover content from our in-person academy sessions. During this period, we will present three live webinars for participants to attend at the same time allowing opportunities for dialogue between participants and speakers.

Why Syringe Services Programs?
Based on harm reduction philosophy and practice, Syringe Services Programs (SSPs) are evidence-based, compassionate, and cost-effective channels for engaging with people who use drugs (PWUD). These programs can provide education on safer use practices, prevent infections through access to syringes and injection supplies, and reduce overdose deaths. By primarily and nonjudgmentally addressing PWUD’s conditions of use—rather than drug use itself—SSPs foster trust, dialogue, and access to other medical and social services, including substance use disorder treatment.

Live webinar schedule:

Laying the Groundwork
May 20, 11 am-1 pm
-The History & Principles of Harm Reduction
-Evidence for Syringe Services Programs
-Exploring Cultural Humility

The Nuts and Bolts of Establishing a Syringe Services Program
June 3, 11 am-1 pm
-NC Harm Reduction Laws and the Legalization of Syringe Service Programs in NC
-Harm Reduction Advocacy in NC
-Syringe Services Programs Operations

Getting Started
June 17, 11 am-1 pm
-How to become a registered SSP and reporting procedures
-Q & A with NC Department of Health and Human Services staff

Questions? Contact Leah Taraskiewicz at leahkt@unc.edu