Share the population you chose for your course project. The population that I choose (HOMELESS IN THE US)Consider which type of agency, Charity Organization Societies or the Settlement Houses, would best meet the needs of that group. Explain why, supporting your analysis with course and outside readings.
Please see the attached to have an idea..
Response Guidelines
Respond to one peer, providing feedback about their choice and sharing ideas that you have.
Peer Jamie:
For the course project, I chose to study drug addicts, specifically intravenous drug users. This is a population I hold near and dear to my heart. I myself am in long-term recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. I am explicitly studying harm reduction and access to care for this population. I believe that this population meets the NASW standard as defined in the Code of Ethics as a vulnerable and oppressed subset of the American populous. The code charges the profession and its practitioners to enhance and advocate for the basic human needs of all people, especially those underserved or oppressed (Code of Ethics: English, n.d.).
Harm reduction is a strategy for engaging drug users and providing them with information and tools to help them make positive changes in their lives and possibly save them (Harm Reduction, n.d.). As mentioned in previous discussion threads, I work for a community mental health agency that participates in harm reduction. United Counseling Services of Bennington County, Vermont (my employer) does participate in harm reduction. Free harm reduction kits are available, and their goals include lowering the likelihood of an opioid overdose, raising awareness of available options for treatment and recovery, and boosting treatment participation (United Counseling Service, 2023). I drive around with these kits in my car and frequently distribute them in homeless camps where opioid use is prevalent. These kits include naloxone nasal spray, fentanyl test strips, and phone numbers to connect users with resources. These supplies are distributed in a backpack.
