"It's an emotional roller coaster
But sometimes it's fucking awesome": Meaning and motivation of work for peers in overdose response environments in British Columbia.
Int J Drug Policy
; 88: 103015, 2021 02.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-917281
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.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Preventive Health Services
/
Substance-Related Disorders
/
Emotions
/
Drug Users
/
Drug Overdose
/
Peer Influence
/
COVID-19
/
Motivation
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Qualitative research
/
Randomized controlled trials
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
/
Young adult
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
Int J Drug Policy
Journal subject:
Public Health
/
Substance-Related Disorders
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
J.drugpo.2020.103015
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