Understanding Chemsex - 19th November 2019

Please note the fee for this education and training course is a 'refundable' booking fee. This has unfortunately become necessary due to high levels of non-attendance on our 'free' training programmes, and ever-increasing waiting lists. The booking fee will be reimbursed on the day of the training to all those who attend. Those who fail to attend will forfeit the fee. Reimbursement will also be made to those who cancel up to 7 days prior to the training.

This half-day education and training programme aims to increase participants’ knowledge and awareness of Chemsex and issues related to this type of drug use. Participants will gain knowledge about this growing trend among men who have sex with men, and the confidence to deal with issues that may arise when working with this client group.

The training will be beneficial to people working across a range of services including Sexual Health Workers, Health Advisers, Drug Service Providers, LGBT Services, Mental Health Practitioners, GPs, Counsellors, Social Workers, Nurses, and other professionals who may work and be in contact with this client group.

The training is facilitated by HIV Ireland and the Gay Men's Health Service, HSE.

CPD Credits: A certificate of attendance detailing the number of hours training completed is provided to each participants. You can apply to your own accrediting associations and organisations for CPD credits, if applicable.

Words used to describe this training by previous participants:

Excellent; Informative; Dynamic; Empowering; Enlightening; Comprehensive; Mind-Opening.

What previous participants said about this education and training:

“Excellent, I learned so much.”

“Topics were described in easy, accessible language.”

“I feel this training was well delivered. Thanks."

About the facilitators:

Siobhán O'Dea is manager of the Gay Men's Health Service (GMHS), Ireland's only dedicated sexual health service for men who have sex with men. Siobhán has been looking after the sexual health needs of chemsex users in the MSM community, has been involved in quantitative and qualitative research on the motivations for chemsex use, and is working on enhancing the availability of services for chemsex users within the GMHS. Siobhán has 25 years’ experience working in addiction services and supporting service users with multiple addiction issues.

Adam Shanley is manager of the MSM Programme at HIV Ireland and was previously a sexual health outreach worker with the Gay Men's Health Service. He has been working with men who have sex with men in outreach settings in the community and has a special interest in working with chemsex users. Adam has delivered training to sexual health workers and drug service providers in Ireland following his own training in London and encouraged the creation of a national chemsex working group to respond to the needs of chemsex users here.