Substance use peer leadership: Lessons learned from the toxic drug crisis and COVID-19 pandemic in British Columbia

This research considers how substance use peer leaders experienced engagement with health care and government agencies during the collision of the toxic drug crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic in BC. Literature reviewed included leadership lessons from health social movements, peers working in healthcare and leadership roles, and incorporation of substance use peers into health care. The research was conducted in partnership with two peer-led organizations, through which participants were recruited. The study met the ethical standards of the Royal Roads University Research Ethics Policy, which was adhered to throughout. The study methodologies included community-based participatory action research (CBPAR) and appreciative inquiry (AI), conducted through semi-structured interviews and focus groups. Despite the impacts of the toxic drug crisis, engagement and integration of people who use substances as key collaborators in services and responses designed for them, remains limited. The research argues a correlation between systemic stigma and the treatment of people who use substances, contributing to significant differences between the toxic drug response compared to the COVID-19 response. This paper showcases how peer leaders are essential to addressing the toxic drug crisis, and any future services, initiatives, or challenges pertaining to them.

Author dc:creator

• MacKenzie, Jennifer

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Harrison, Alisa

• School of leadership studies

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-20473

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/28909