Attachment A: Focus group outline

Introduction:

Welcome group and explain purpose of project: Capilano College and the Lifeskills Centre are doing a research project to see if there are links between learning and harm reduction. We would like your opinion on this. Pass around consent letters and read through them as a group.

Questions:

  1. Go round: What is one word or phrase you think of when you hear the words “harm reduction”? (list on flipchart)
  2. Read the following “definition” together. What do you think of this definition? What would you add to it — e.g. can you think of other risks to add to the list? (list additions on flip-chart)
  3. What do you do to reduce harm in your life?
  4. Have you participated in any learning activities (courses, workshops, school, college) recently? (list them on flipchart).
  5. If yes to #4, did participation in these courses/workshops/classes help you to be safer and healthier?
  6. How can this learning centre help you to be safer and healthier?
  7. Any other comments you want to make about learning and harm reduction. Also, feel free to write or draw pictures about this.

Harm reduction is for people in our communities who do risky things. Some of these risks are:

We accept, for better and for worse, that these activities are part of our world. We do not ask people to stop doing them, but try to help them be safer, take control and make changes only when they are ready.