Much of this session is focused on providing introductory information and facilitating brainstorming exercises. It provides participants with an understanding of the concept of health, social factors influencing health and drug use and sexual risk behaviour. The brainstorming exercises allow participants to develop their own understanding of the issues and how information presented during the training might be useful to them. To get the ball rolling, we suggest an activity to start discussion. After the group has come to some of its own conclusions, you will have an opportunity to round up this knowledge with some more accurate definitions and information, if needed.
What Will Participants Learn?
Participants will learn that“ health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”( WHO, 1946). When you are healthy, it means that you can stay active, productive and happy.
There are ways to reduce the impact many drugs and sexual activities may have on our health. The first step is learning about various drugs and sexual activities, the pros and the cons, and ways to reduce potential harm. Once an individual has done this, he or she can freely and consciously decide what behaviours to engage in. This is the baseline of harm reduction and now we can go a bit deeper into that.
Ready, set, go!