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Overdose Prevention and Risk Reduction (formerly known as Harm Reduction)

Injury-Free NC, a collaboration between the North Carolina Division of Public Health’s Injury and Violence Prevention Branch and the University of North Carolina’s Injury Prevention Research Center, is excited to launch the application for the 2026 Injury-Free NC Academy on Overdose Prevention and Risk Reduction (Formerly known as “Harm Reduction as Transformative Practice.” The purpose of this Academy is to provide training to community-based organizations, local health departments, coalitions, and individuals who are planning or have taken steps to establish an overdose prevention program or want to learn more about using a framework and principles that remove barriers to care and meet people where they are at, while reducing health risks.

Apply soon—space is limited! Approximately 50 individuals will be invited to participate per session following the application review.

Apply by January 30, 2026

ACCESS THE APPLICATION PACKET NOW

Each Academy session will take place in two parts: two days that will take place in person and two that will take place virtually.

The Academy will be offered twice in 2026 on the following dates:

May Academy dates:

In-Person Session: May 7 & 8, 2026
Location: Fayetteville, NC
Virtual Session: May 12 & 13, 2026

July Academy dates:

In-Person Session: July 16 & 17, 2026
Location: Boone, NC
Virtual Session: July 21 & 22, 2026

Participants will work together to learn how to operationalize risk reduction practices in their communities. This hybrid structure is intended to be very interactive and foster regional collaboration, with risk reduction experts providing insight on best practices and lessons learned from the field.

For questions, email the Overdose Prevention and Risk Reduction Academy Planning Team at
OverdosePreventionAcademy@unc.edu

Archived HR Academy Content
  • Individuals who attended the April 2022 Overdose Prevention and Risk Reduction Academy (presented as “Harm Reduction as Transformative Practice”) can access information shared here.
  • Individuals who attended the July 2022 Overdose Prevention and Risk Reduction Academy (presented as “Harm Reduction as Transformative Practice”) can access information shared here.