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Having a voice and saving lives: a qualitative survey on employment impacts of people with lived experience of drug use working in harm reduction
Summary
PWLLE of drug use working in harm reduction services contribute significantly to addressing the overdose crisis while facing work-related challenges such as discrimination and lack of support. The paper suggests policy changes for better employment conditions including leadership opportunities, fair pay, and a supportive environment that acknowledges wider social issues.
Key Findings
Involving PWLE in harm reduction services has brought many benefits, however certain issues persist including, stigma, tokenism, workplace discrimination, power and pay inequities. Survey was done with fifty PWLE working in harm reduction to learn more about these issues. The survey was built by PWLE using community-based research practices. PWLE encounter continued exposure to stigma and inequities compared to other coworkers who don’t disclose their drug use, this can lead to burnout, disparity, trauma and grief. it’s recommended that organizational restructuring is needed to promote equitable, anti-racist feminist, and transparent practices and policies. Changes is needed to address tokenization and devaluing of PWLE.
Key findings related to emerging/promising principles for engaging PWLLE:
- Involvement of peers as a service user and provider bring positive impact on overall health, well-being, and ongoing access to support
- Challenges in fulfilling two roles came from lack of guidelines, unequal pay, and stigma which affect their access to care
Key findings related to emerging/promising practices for engaging PWLLE:
- Structural changes should be made to address these issues and promote better work experience for PWLE working in harm reduction setting
Key Findings Related Implementation Approaches:
Changes in these areas should be implemented:
- Wage inequality between employees who openly use drugs and who don’t
- Higher amount of emotional labor but their work went unrecognized
- Having benefits and job security
- Unrecognized work skills that acquired through community work
- Stigma in and outside of workplace
