Learning Exchange: Addressing the Harm Reduction and Treatment Needs of Women and Gender Diverse People Who Use Drugs
Women and gender diverse individuals experience harms from substance use in unique ways. The COMmunity Opioid/Overdose CAPacity-building (COM-CAP) project is organizing a learning exchange on ways that substance use treatment and harm reduction services, can better meet the needs of women and gender-diverse individuals. This learning exchange will include a brief presentation on different strategies that have been used by harm reduction and treatment services for women and gender-diverse individuals who use drugs. A moderated discussion will follow with a panel of speakers with varied experiences including living and lived expertise and supporting community organizations with education and capacity building supports.
This session will be recorded for ongoing training and educational purposes.
**This webinar is being hosted and recorded on the traditional territory of many nations, including the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat peoples. Toronto continues to be home to many diverse First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples.**
Intended Audience: Municipal Drug Strategy Coordinator’s Network of Ontario, Public Health Unit teams working in drug strategies and/or involved in harm reduction, people who use drugs, COM-CAP project partners, community-based organizations providing services to people who use drugs
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the unique needs of women and gender diverse individuals for harm reduction and treatment
2. Identify adaptable strategies to better meet the unique needs of women and gender-diverse individuals who use opioids
3. Reflect with community members and organizations on the practices and considerations for strengthening the planning and implementation of services
Presenter(s): Julian Gitelman, Molly Bannerman and Nat Kaminski
Julian Gitelman, MD, MPH, is a fourth year public health and preventive medicine resident at the University of Toronto. He completed medical school at McGill University and a Master of Public Health at Harvard University.
Molly Bannerman, MSW, has worked in the field of community development social work, sexual health, harm reduction, arts-based practice, community-based research and restorative conflict resolution since the early 2000s. She grew up between Galt, Ontario – land on the Haldimand Tract and part of Treaty 3, and Oliphant - on Lake Huron, land of the Chippewas of Nawash First Nation, and Treaty 72. Molly completed her Masters in Social work focusing on community development and harm reduction at the University of Toronto. Molly currently works as the Provincial Director of the Women and HIV/AIDS Initiative of Ontario.
Nat Kaminski is from the Peel Region where they work in harm reduction and founded the Peel Drug Users Network. Throughout their 20s and early 30s they lived in London, Ontario and became embedded in poverty, experienced systemic violence being a person who uses drugs, engaged in sex work, and had a history of incarceration. Most of Nat’s friends that shared those experiences are either missing, murdered, dead, or dying due to failed policies. Nat is a white settler on Turtle Island and committed in their various roles, including mother, to dismantle the patriarchal and oppressive systems that uphold policies that kill people they love.
Disclaimer
The opinions expressed by speakers and moderators do not necessarily reflect the official policies or views of Public Health Ontario, nor does the mention of trade names, commercial practices, or organizations imply endorsement by Public Health Ontario.
Accessibility
Public Health Ontario is committed to complying with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). If you require accommodations to participate in this event, please contact 647-260-7100 or capacitybuilding@oahpp.ca.
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