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Chemical Dependency Outreach |
The Hepatitis Education Project conducts hepatitis C education outreach at chemical dependency agencies in Washington, Idaho and Alaska. This program, which was created to address the overwhelming burden of hepatitis C in chemical dependency settings, focuses on the following objectives:
1) Education for clients/staff at chemical dependency treatment centers
2) Hepatitis C antibody testing for clients/staff at chemical dependency treatment centers
3) Referral to medical care for those who test positive
Our curriculum addresses a range of issues relevant to the diverse developmental and cultural composition found in treatment centers, and includes the following:
- Modes of disease transmission, methods for prevention, including risk reduction and immunization, disease outcomes, and options for treatment
- Tools needed to avoid behaviors that result in acquisition of hepatitis, HIV, and other blood borne and sexually transmitted infections
- Area resources for clients/staff upon, including links with medical, community and public health facilities
- Counseling for persons with chronic hepatitis B or hepatitis C infection regarding preventing transmission to household, sexual, and drug-use contacts, including risk reduction and condom use; these persons will also be counseled regarding ways to reduce further liver damage, including limiting alcohol and drug use
Classes are typically one to two hours in length with optional hepatitis C testing at the end of the session. If you are interested in having the Hepatitis Education Project conduct an educational seminar and hepatitis C testing at your facility, please contact HEP at 206-732-0311.
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