Nature Informed Harm Reduction

Webinar Overview

Since the beginning of humankind, drug use has played an important part in our relationship to the natural world. Exploring this deep history helps us embrace the first principle of Harm Reduction-to accept drug use as a natural part of human existence. This training reviews the core principles of Nature Informed Therapy and Harm Reduction to discuss how their connections can improve the lives of people experiencing drug related harm. With a micro to macro point of view, participants will practice nature informed harm reduction interventions and discuss the impact of the War on Drugs on climate justice. 

Key Learning Objectives

• Describe the historical relationship between drugs, humans, and nature.

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• Define Harm Reduction, its core principles, and their connections to the principles of Nature Informed Therapy.

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• Apply Nature Informed Harm Reduction interventions to improve support for people experiencing drug related harm.

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• Enhance awareness of the therapeutic benefits of nature for people with risky drug use.

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• Determine the macro and micro levels of Harm Reduction and understand the impact of the War on Drugs on climate justice.

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• Identify resources to continue your Harm Reduction and Nature Informed Therapy education.

Program Schedule

9:30 AM – 10:00 AM  | Welcome and Introduction

• Presentation: Intro to Course, Day’s Agenda, Other Housekeeping

• Small Group Icebreaker: What is your favorite nature smell?

10:00 AM – 10:30 AM | Grounding and Opening

• Experiential Exercise: 7 Deep Breaths with Nature Sounds

• Video: Tobacco is Medicine

10:30 AM – 11:15 AM | Drugs, Humans, and Nature

• Presentation: A Historical Overview of the Relationship Between Drugs, Humans, and Nature

• Discussion: How does this historical context impact your opinions of drug use?

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11:15 AM – 11:30 AM | Break 

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | What’s That Drug?

• Game: What’s That Plant/Drug?

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12:00 PM – 12:45 PM | Harm Reduction

• Lecture: An Introduction to Harm Reduction and Its Core Principles

• Discussion: Where do you see stigma? How do we end it?

• Experiential Activity: Mother Earth Loving Kindness

12:45 PM – 1:15 PM | Lunch Break

1:15 PM – 2:00 PM | The War on Drugs and Climate Justice

• Lecture: The War on Drugs’ Impact on Climate Justice

• Discussion: How does the War on Drugs impact you and your community?

• Experiential Activity: Grief Ritual

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM | Nature Informed Harm Reduction

• Lecture: The Benefits and Methods of Nature Informed Harm Reduction

• Discussion: How do you want to/already integrate nature into your work? How do you want to/already integrate harm reduction into your work?

• Experiential Activity: Life Landscape

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3:00 PM – 3:15 PM | Break

3:15 PM – 4:00 PM | Summary and Emerging Conversations

• Lecture: Summary of the Day, Emerging Conversations in Harm Reduction

• Discussion: Share reflections and discuss takeaways

• Experiential Activity: Rose, Bud, Thorn

4:00 PM – 4:30 PM | Questions & Closing

• Discussion: Question and answer

• Experiential Activity: Tea Ceremony