A good harm reduction approach fosters and supports the full engagement of peers. The Manitoba Harm Reduction Network aims to involve and include peers in all aspects of planning and implementation of harm reduction programs. The MHRN Terms of Reference define a peer educator or peer supporter as being, “an individual who self identifies as a member of an affected community and who has in the past or is currently working in a formal or informal peer support capacity to reduce the incidence of Blood Borne Pathogens and Sexually Transmitted Infections.”
Supporting peer involvement in all aspects of program planning and delivery should be a priority of any harm reduction based approach. To do this effectively requires resources, support and training. For additional information on how to engage and involve peers in harm reduction please see the attached resources.
Note: The following documents are in pdf format. You must have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer to read these files. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat, click here for a free download.
Peer Forum Orientation Manual - Manitoba Harm Reduction Network
A Guide To Involving & Empowering Drug Users - National Treatment Agency, London, UK
Peer Manual: A Guide for Peer Workers and Agencies - Toronto Harm Reduction Task Force
National Institute on Drug Abuse Community-Based Outreach Manual
