Motivational Interviewing to Increase Uptake of Drug Checking and Safe Drug Use Behaviors to Reduce Overdose

MI-CHANCE was built following key principles of MI (partnership, acceptance, compassion and evocation) to empower PWUD, help them identify potential benefits of DCS and strategies to integrate these into their daily lives. The manual follows three key stages: 1) introducing DCS, 2) generating change talk, and 3) verbalizing commitment, using open questions, affirmations, reflections and summaries. Pros and cons for regularly using CheckSD and changing drug use behaviors accordingly were identified in the literature and through discussions with PWUD and HRCSD staff. Peer support specialists are urged to mirror participants' own language (e.g., oxy or M30s=oxycontin; carga= heroin; malilla=withdrawal, fetty=fentanyl). Challenges were categorized into 8 key areas: legal, financial, scheduling, transportation, ability to change drug use behaviors, communication with SSP staff, managing mood and substance use.

Naloxone and educational materials (i.e. pamphlets) on overdose prevention, videos (English or Spanish) on naloxone, flu and Hepatitis A education.