Grant: Operating Grant - HIV/AIDS CBR Program - General

It is extremely challenging to reach marginalized, hidden populations of illicit drug users in small towns and rural communities for service provision or research purposes. Past studies have found peer researchers to be particularly effective in accessing hidden populations (Drauss et. al, 2005). The proposed research will provide training to peer researchers who themselves have a history of drug use. These newly educated peer researchers will reach out to their more hidden peers in order to (1) record experiences accessing health and social services for issues related to drug use; (2) provide harm reduction education and link participants to services and supports; and (3) gather information on patterns of drug use to inform harm reduction services and planning. Goals of the research are to: reduce the incidence of HIV by increasing drug users' knowledge of harm reduction activities; link illicit drug users to services; document and analyze barriers to health and social service access; and recommend health and social policy and service delivery changes to improve access to services, thus reducing the risk of HIV. The work of community-based professionals has created the foundation for this research and these professionals have formed an advisory committee for the study. Results will be shared with participants, the advisory committee and will be made widely available to the larger community.