Training & Resources

Training Sessions

SafeLink Alberta’s 101 Education Series provides an accessible overview of the populations we serve and the work we do in the community. These training sessions address best practices, emerging trends, and lessons we’ve learned through our 35 years of community service are rooted in evidence, and informed by the voices of people with lived or living experience.

When HIV is mentioned in conversation or the media, what image is conjured? Is it someone dying in a hospital bed? Is it large-scale protest marches? Is this even still a threatening virus in Canada? This 2-hour workshop is designed to challenge assumptions and misinformation about HIV and teach participants what HIV is, how it affects the body, what current treatment options are available, how it differs from AIDS and incredible advancements in prevention. Participants will increase their knowledge of the virus and gain a better understanding of how to support people living with HIV.

Although medical knowledge for the prevention of sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections continues to advance, many individuals have a limited understanding of Hepatitis A,B, or C, Syphilis, Chlamydia, and Gonorrhea. What are these STIs? What are their symptoms? Are they treatable? Are they deadly? Why are we seeing a resurgence in outbreaks in Alberta? In this 2-hour workshop, participants will be provided with the opportunity to ask these questions, understand these infections, deepen their knowledge of Hepatitis C and other STIs, and learn how to support people who may test positive for these sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections.

What is harm reduction? Is it an enabling mindset that promotes drug use or a life-saving measure rooted in public health? Regardless of who you ask, harm reduction has become a controversial hot button topic. In this 3-hour training, participants will be provided a historical journey through prohibition, explore the formation of drug laws in Canada, discuss how harm reduction has been implemented nationally and internationally, and unpack how existing policies and practices negatively impact key populations. Participants will learn about the psychosocial and philosophical underpinnings of harm reduction and will leave with a stronger understanding of how to be an advocate for this evidence-based practice.

What comes to mind when you think of drugs? Scenes from reefer madness? Uma Therman getting a violent injection in her chest in Pulp Fiction? Experiences from your college days? Or are you thinking of someone sleeping rough living downtown? Our two part, 5-hour Substance Use workshop takes you through an overview of commonly used substances and their impact on the body. Attendees will gain an understanding of substance use from a harm reduction lens and start to consider the complex psychosocial dynamics that may cause people to use substances in unhealthy ways. Participants will learn about best practices for supporting people who use substances, with a specific focus on methamphetamine use.

How do we keep ourselves safe from viruses, bacterial infections, germs, and other biohazardous risks in our lives and our work? This 1-hour training will explain universal precautions and best practices focused on the protection and prevention against HIV, hepatitis C, and other blood-borne pathogens. This training will discuss the safe disposal of biohazardous materials, safety precautions to help keep oneself safe, and best practices when working toward disease prevention.

What do pipes, cookers, and needles have to do with safety? Harm reduction is a public health approach focused on keeping people safe. Understanding the practical aspects and tools associated with substance use is foundational to reducing harms. In this 2-hour, interactive workshop, participants will be provided with an overview of substance use equipment and the best practices associated with equipment use and various consumption methods. Through group discussion, attendees will have the opportunity to further develop their confidence in discussing safer using practices with the people they support.

Condoms! Dental Dams! Lube! OH MY! You might think your clients know all there is to know about protecting the family jewels, but there is so much more to understand than a rollup/rolldown demonstration on a banana. In this 2-hour interactive workshop, participants will be provided information on what safer sex supplies are available, how to correctly use these supplies, and the best practices associated with all the tools we have in our safer sex practices toolbox. Trainees will learn about how to support their clients in negotiating condom use, as well as develop their own confidence in discussing safer sex supplies.

Created by St. John's Ambulance, this 2-hour in-person course will instruct participants on identifying and responding to potential opioid poisoning using nasal naloxone. Throughout the presentation, participants will learn about substance use, stigma, the ins and outs of utilizing nasal naloxone, and how to look after oneself after handling an emergency. Participants will receive one free nasal naloxone kit for attending the training.

Sex and drugs have been known to go hand in hand, but what about sexualized drug use? Join us for this 3-hour workshop, as we take a deep dive into chemsex culture (also known as Party ‘n’ Play/PNP) and discover what is PNP, who engages in it, and the driving force for participating in the highly intense and higher risk phenomena. Participants will leave this workshop with an increased knowledge of queer sexual culture and have practical, harm reduction strategies to support people who participate in PNP - from making the party safer to recovery.

Sex Work 101: What is Sex Work?

This 2-hour workshop provides a high-level overview of who sex workers are, the types of work sex workers may be involved in, and the difference between sex work and sex trafficking.

Sex Work 102: Laws and Legislation

To understand how to support sex workers, we first need to understand the nuances of the existing laws and legislation that govern sex workers. In this 2-hour workshop, participants will unpack local, national, and international laws related to sex work and gain an understanding of what sex workers want when it comes to legislation.

Sex Work 103: Stigma and Support

Over the course of 2-hours, this interactive workshop will engage participants in critical discussion around the perceptions of risk and sex work. Attendees will unpack the impacts of stigma on sex workers and gain an understanding of sex worker informed ways to provide support and stand in solidarity with the community.

Register for Training

Are you ready to learn more? SafeLink Alberta provides a variety of training courses that focus on the many different aspects and perspectives surrounding HIV, hepatitis C, STIs, and harm reduction. Training is offered free of charge unless otherwise stated, and are available virtually across Southern Alberta or in person in Medicine Hat or Calgary.

Knowledge Thirsty Thursdays

Short on time, but thirsty for knowledge?

Look no further. SafeLink Alberta invites you to join us virtually every other Thursday from 12-12:45 p.m. for Knowledge Thirsty Thursdays.

Our pint-size trainings will discuss new trends, hot button topics, and current events related to substance use and sexually transmitted infections. Come along with the SafeLink Alberta Education team as we sample flights of knowledge and quench your thirst for information.

Knowledge Thirsty Thursdays are sure to hit the spot and hydrate your brain.

Customized Training

We are also happy to provide specialized training directly to your team. All of our presentations can be tailored to your group or organization’s needs. In addition, if you require a different focus, or would like a training of a different length, please let us know! We’ll be happy to accommodate.

All of our 101 training models can be adapted according to your group or organization's requirements.

We can customize by:

Strategic focus
Demographic needs
Delivery method
Accessibility

If you're interested in a customized training session, please contact us.

Training & Resources

Training Sessions

Register for Training

Knowledge Thirsty Thursdays

Customized Training

Questions? Contact education@safelinkalberta.ca