The Connection Between Substance Use and Human Trafficking

Description

Human trafficking refers to the exploitation of an individual using force, fraud, or coercion. Not only are those with substance use issues more vulnerable to being trafficked, but traffickers specifically target them. Traffickers use substances as a means of coercion, to get victims to comply with their demands, increase productivity, inhibit self-protection, decrease escape attempts, and continue entrapment. Many victims also engage in substance use as a means of coping with their unfathomable trauma. Additionally, many victims are forced to engage in criminality, such as illicit drug production and transportation. This presentation will explore these factors, highlight indicators of exploitation, and make you aware of some of ways you can intervene should you suspect exploitation.

Wednesday, February 23, 2022 @ 3:00-5:00pm ET (2CT/1MT/12PT)

Learning Objectives

• Participants will be able to describe the connection between human trafficking and substance use.
• Participants will be able to summarize the indicators that assist in identifying exploitation.
• Participants will be able to apply some interventions that could be used to assist in anti-trafficking efforts.

Content Level

Intermediate.

• Intermediate level courses provide information that builds on knowledge practitioners with some experience already have. These courses focus on skill-building or adding knowledge, possibly following a brief overview of basic information, and involve using information in concrete situations and understanding the underlying structure of the material.

Who Should Attend

Addiction professionals, employee assistance professionals, social workers, mental health counselors, professional counselors, psychologists, and other helping professionals that are interested in learning about addiction-related matters.