Bernadette Bernie Pauly1, Zahra Mamdani2, Lacey Mesley1, Sophie McKenzie2, Fred Cameron3, Denice Edwards4, Amy Howell3, Michael Knott3, Tracy Scott4, Ryan Seguin3, Alissa M Greer5, Jane A Buxton6. 1. Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria, Box 1700 STN CSC, 2300 McKenzie Ave, Victoria, BC, V8N 5M8, Canada. 2. BC Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada. 3. SOLID Outreach Society, 1056N Park St, Victoria, BC, V8T 1C6, Canada. 4. RainCity Housing, 616 Powell St, Vancouver, BC, V6A 1H4, Canada. 5. School of Criminology, Simon Fraser University, 8888 University Drive, Saywell Hall, Burnaby, BC, V5A 1S6, Canada. 6. BC Centre for Disease Control, 655 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, BC, V5Z 4R4, Canada; School of Population and Public Health, University of British Columbia, 2329 West Mall, Vancouver, BC, V6T 1Z4, Canada. Electronic address: jane.buxton@bccdc.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The province of British Columbia (BC), Canada is amid dual public health emergencies in which the overdose epidemic declared in 2016 has been exacerbated by restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Experiential workers, commonly known as 'peers' (workers with past or present drug use experience) are at the forefront of overdose response initiatives and are essential in creating safe spaces for people who use drugs (PWUD) in harm reduction. Working in overdose response environments can be stressful, with lasting emotional and mental health effects. There is limited knowledge about the personal meaning that experiential workers derive from their work, which serve as motivators for them to take on these often-stressful roles. METHODS: This project used a community-based qualitative research design. The research was based at two organizations in BC. Eight experiential worker-led focus groups were conducted (n = 31) where participants spoke about their roles, positive aspects of their jobs, challenges they face, and support needs in harm reduction work. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using interpretative description to uncover the meaning derived from experiential work. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from focus group data that describe the meanings which serve as motivators for experiential workers to continue working in overdose response environments: (1) A sense of purpose from helping others; (2) Being an inspiration for others, and; (3) A sense of belonging. CONCLUSION: Despite the frequent hardships and loss that accompany overdose response work, experiential workers identified important aspects that give their work meaning. These aspects of their work may help to protect workers from the emotional harms associated with stressful work as well as the stigma of substance use. Recognizing the importance of experiential work and its role in the lives of PWUD can help inform and strengthen organizational supports.
BACKGROUND: The province of British Columbia (BC), Canada is amid dual public health emergencies in which the overdose epidemic declared in 2016 has been exacerbated by restrictions imposed by the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Experiential workers, commonly known as 'peers' (workers with past or present drug use experience) are at the forefront of overdose response initiatives and are essential in creating safe spaces for people who use drugs (PWUD) in harm reduction. Working in overdose response environments can be stressful, with lasting emotional and mental health effects. There is limited knowledge about the personal meaning that experiential workers derive from their work, which serve as motivators for them to take on these often-stressful roles. METHODS: This project used a community-based qualitative research design. The research was based at two organizations in BC. Eight experiential worker-led focus groups were conducted (n = 31) where participants spoke about their roles, positive aspects of their jobs, challenges they face, and support needs in harm reduction work. Transcripts were coded and analyzed using interpretative description to uncover the meaning derived from experiential work. RESULTS: Three themes emerged from focus group data that describe the meanings which serve as motivators for experiential workers to continue working in overdose response environments: (1) A sense of purpose from helping others; (2) Being an inspiration for others, and; (3) A sense of belonging. CONCLUSION: Despite the frequent hardships and loss that accompany overdose response work, experiential workers identified important aspects that give their work meaning. These aspects of their work may help to protect workers from the emotional harms associated with stressful work as well as the stigma of substance use. Recognizing the importance of experiential work and its role in the lives of PWUD can help inform and strengthen organizational supports.
Authors: Laura Brandt; Aimee N C Campbell; Jermaine D Jones; Suky Martinez; Joanne Neale; Stephen Parkin; Caral Brown; John Strang; Sandra D Comer Journal: Subst Abus Date: 2021-09-14 Impact factor: 3.716
Authors: Zahra Mamdani; Sophie McKenzie; Bernadette Pauly; Fred Cameron; Jennifer Conway-Brown; Denice Edwards; Amy Howell; Tracy Scott; Ryan Seguin; Peter Woodrow; Jane A Buxton Journal: Harm Reduct J Date: 2021-02-11
Authors: Fiona Mercer; Joanna Astrid Miler; Bernie Pauly; Hannah Carver; Kristina Hnízdilová; Rebecca Foster; Tessa Parkes Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2021-11-17 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Zahra Mamdani; Damian Feldman-Kiss; Sophie McKenzie; Mike Knott; Fred Cameron; Rayne Voyer; Jessica van Norren; Tracy Scott; Bernie Pauly; Jane A Buxton Journal: PLoS One Date: 2022-09-02 Impact factor: 3.752