Modules

Each of these sections contains a diversity of information, heaps of potential discussion topics and frameworks, and a living library of external resources including powerpoint presentations, youtube videos and web and print resources.

The ways that each of these collections will be assembled into use, can vary widely depending on variables of your specific programs. This collection was assembled from a framework built and practiced in Victoria and Vancouver Island, with some considerations added to provide relevance to the BC Interior. This, of course, comes with the understanding that within the BC Interior, there is a near-infinite variation of specifics from community to community. The ways that a Street College program will look in Nelson, is different than it may look in a larger centre like Kamloops or Kelowna, as well as in comparison to smaller centres like Elkford, Kaslo or Radium. Each of our communities is unique, and the way this content is gathered together leaves lots of space for the specific needs of every group using the material to influence the specific assembly of pieces.

This curriculum is more like this:

than this:

Some suggestions of how to put together a session for the various suggested levels (Street School, Street College (Essentials and beyond), Street College Leadership ) follow. Some of these names and package specifics come from AVI. You may find that in your home community the actual offering looks like a middle ground or combination of these suggested structures.

Street School
8-16 weeks
20-30 minute sessions
In a drop-in setting

Session Theme	Guests, resources, options variations, key activities (Pick one or two max from this list)
Opening	Introduction to the series Establishing group agreements Refining of topics to explore within series
What is Harm Reduction?	History of Drug War & Drug User Movements Bodily Autonomy
Stigma	Stigma vs discrimination Addressing Stigma Activity
Safer Injection	Show and tell gear tour Hands-on with cookers + filters Hands-on with tourniquets Hands-on with Practice Arm Rig cleaning demo
Safer Injection	Show and tell gear tour Hands-on with pipe filters with foil kits Craft skill share, moulding a stem into a bubbler Pipe maintenance strategy share
The Hepatitises	The liver + how it functions Knowing the difference between A, B, and C Hep C transmission basics Hep C testing overview (nurse visit?) Hep C treatment overview (peer who has completed treatment or invite guest presenter if no participants have that experience) Co-infection w/ HIV
Overdose Prevention	Hands-On with Fentanyl Test Strips Test Doses- the science and math of overdose prevention Strategy Share Naloxone Use
Health Care Navigation	Personal Advocacy strategy share Writing reviews & complaints for doctors + care providers Your rights in accessing care Role-playing for effective appointments Safe consumption site basics
First Aid	Hands-on with Foot care (ensure access to fresh socks) Wound dressing basics Infection care basics Hand Washing Making a clean area/environment/surface for using CPR & rescue breathing Destigmatizing calling 911 and understanding good Samaritan law
Living Outside & Getting In	Shelter Design Strategy Share Winter gear hacks DIY Rocket stove show and tell Housing support advocate visit Local Resource map co-.creation Food Strategy Share Potluck (affordable and food bank available supplies on hand)
Communication	“I statement” practice Social media strategy share Writing good lists for appointments Taking notes Journal Making NVC Basics Street Language dialect appreciation

Street College (Essentials)
8 weeks
2.5-hour sessions with a 20-minute break
In a comfortable “classroom” setting

Session Theme	Specific Details (In this “essentials” offering, this column reads like a class agenda)
Week 1 Group Agreements, Basics of Harm Reduction	Welcome from facilitator Territory Acknowledgement Brief Overview Name Cards Ice breaker Group Agreements Self-care & grounding techniques and expectations Support access overview BREAK Harm Reduction Basics Check Out Honoraria & reminders for next session
Week 2 Hepatitis A, B and C	Welcome Overview Name Cards Brief Check-in Reminder of Group Agreements Hep Slideshow includes: Testing Transmission & Prevention HCV/HIV coinfection Liver health Stigma & support Treatment options Check Out Honoraria & Reminders for next session
Week 3 HIV/AIDS and HCV/HIV Co-Infection	Welcome & overview Brief check-ins Remind of group agreements + name cards HIV Slideshow Testing Transmission Prevention Stigma & support Myths & stereotypes Treatment options Show short testimonials of HIV+ people talking about experiences Check out Honoraria & Reminders for next session
Week 4 Health and Wellness	Welcome & overview Brief Remind of group agreements + name cards Health + Wellness slideshow Wellness Body systems Liver health Nutrition Stress management Self-esteem and wellness Stigma Activity. Name one thing you like about yourself and one commitment to your well being today Check out Honoraria & Reminders
Week 5 Stigma	Welcome & overview Brief check-ins Remind of group agreements + name cards Stigma Slideshow What stigma means Impacts Stepping Out Game Debrief Stigma Response Activity Check Out Honoraria & Reminders
Week 6 Peer Education	Welcome & overview Brief check-ins Remind of group agreements + name cards Peer Education Slideshow What a peer is Opportunities and challenges in this role Communication skills Assertive vs aggressive Boundaries Confidentiality Community resources Check out Honoraria & Reminders
Week 7 Healthy Sexuality & Gender Identity	Welcome & overview Brief check-ins Remind of group agreements + name cards Sexuality + Gender Presentation sex=//=gender Terminology Autonomy Pronouns Safer sex supplies Brief check out Confirm names for certificates Honoraria & reminders
Week 8 Wrap Up, Evaluation, Graduation, Next Steps	Welcome & overview Brief check-ins Review of course What stood out Lingering questions/comments Evaluation Information about next offerings Final Check Out Certificates, Celebration and acknowledgements Honoraria & reminders of supports

Street College
8+ weeks
2.5-hour sessions with a 20-minute break
In a comfortable “classroom” setting

Theme Topics The suggested themes are just suggestions to give a range of what is possible; topics should be selected based on interest and relevance to participants. For example, this demo setup doesn’t have a section on safer inhalation, if there are folks in the program who are smokers, rather than injectors, customize accordingly. If the group is a mix, or participants use includes injection AND inhalation, make sure the content fits their needs.	Variations on the Theme The content sections below have these and many other potential discussion topics. These suggestions are just a primer to give a range of what is possible.
Week 1 Introduction week	Territory Acknowledgement Participants draft group agreements Names + introductions Select variations on themes for future sessions
Week 2 Safer Injection	Gear Tour, Rig Washing, Safe disposal OR Vein Care, Strategy Share, Practice Arm OR Managing Worst Cases: sharing strategies to deal with abscesses, infections, cotton fever, and overdose OR Pleasure Principle: reframing how we think about injection use. Stay Safe Project London, Rat Park, Social Determinants in Colonial Projects
Week 3 Drugs in Prohibition	Informed Drug Use: Drug Checking technology and online research techniques OR Historical Contexts of Drug War and Drug User Movements OR Pain Management: opioids and beyond OR Knowing Your Rights when interacting with police OR Cannabis Law: growing, holding, using- what you need to know OR Federal Exemptions, Overdose Prevention Sites and Safe Use Programs, looking at alternatives to the drug war
Week 4 Advocacy	Preparing for an Effective Appointment OR Advocacy supports: guest visits from housing supports, legal aid reps, health care navigator OR Self-publishing: using zines and blogs to give voice to PWUD experiences OR PhotoVoice: using image documentation to tell our stories. OR Story Shaped holes, Aurora Levins Morales (https://jsri.msu.edu/upload/working-papers/wp40.pdf).
Week 5 First Aid	With Guest trainers where appropriate CPR & Rescue Breathing Dressing wounds Recovery Position Overdose Response Broken bones Sprains and strains Treating Shock Hypothermia and frostbite Heatstroke and dehydration
Week 6 Blood Borne Illness	HIV: testing, transmission, treatment and prevention OR HepC: testing, transmission, treatment and prevention OR HIV/HepC Co-infection: Managing co-infection, impacts on treatment options, changes to risks OR The “other ones”: endocarditis, MRSA, etc. OR U=U. What is undetectable, and how do we get there? OR Diagnosis Stigma
Week 7 Communication	Non-violent Communication OR Assertive vs. Aggressive: getting what you want without hurting anyone OR Lateral Violence: challenging “fighting for scraps” mentality OR Using Social Media for good OR Letter writing and petitions: challenging policy with our truths OR Boundaries: knowing yours and respecting others
Week 8 Closing Week	Debrief, recap highlights, plan next steps, acknowledge participation.