Implementing harm reduction initiatives can be challenging, and doing so in rural communities can present unique difficulties due to communication barriers, competing interests, and a lack of familiarity with the benefits of these approaches. This 90-minute webinar will provide participants with strategies to overcome these obstacles and ultimately create buy-in for harm reduction initiatives in rural communities. Healthcare providers, public servants, policy makers, elected officials, and other community members will all benefit from joining us for this presentation and discussion.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe unique barriers to harm reduction in rural communities
2. Identify strategies to overcome ambivalence about harm reduction initiatives
3. Learn approaches to foster supportive and collaborative community partnerships

Bio:

Eric Atkinson is a retired police chief and the current city administrator for Menomonie, Wisconsin. He is the co-founder of Project Hope — a county-wide collaborative initiative that works towards abating the methamphetamine and opioid epidemic sweeping Wisconsin.