Experiences of peer-trainers in a take-home naloxone program: Results from a qualitative study

Take-home naloxone programs (THN) are harm reduction programs with the aim of reducing the number of deaths caused by opioid overdoses. A THN program in Montreal called the PROFAN project was implemented with the goal of reducing overdoses through the use of peer-trainers. Peer-trainers are people who are currently or have previously used drugs, who are trained in overdose prevention and are then responsible for delivering a training session to other individuals who use drugs. While studies on other peer-led programs have shown that peer-helpers gain numerous benefits from their role, little attention has been devoted to understanding this role in the context of overdose prevention. Additionally, to our knowledge, this is the first time that the impacts of the peer-trainer role are being studied and documented for a scientific journal.

This research represents a qualitative study using individual interviews with the six peer-trainers of the Montreal program to explore the benefits and challenges encountered in their role.

Interview results suggest that there are psychological benefits received through the peer-trainer role, such as empowerment and recovery. As well, there are a number of challenges associated with their role and suggestions to improve the program.

Knowledge about the impacts of the peer-trainer role will contribute to the development of THN programs. Additionally, the findings may also serve to demonstrate that THN programs are capable of not only reducing the number of deaths by opioid overdose, but that these programs may also have wider effects on a psychological level.