Provincial peer network evaluation

Funding body

BC Centre for Disease Control

Background

In 2019, the BC government funded the Provincial Peer Network Project to increase government engagement with people who use drugs (PWUD) and to support PWUD and drug user groups (DUG) to respond to the overdose emergency. The BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors (BCYADWS) was selected as the lead organization and received funding to establish the Network. The Provincial Peer Network is composed of local Drug User Groups (new, emerging and existing DUGs) and a centralized hub.

The primary objective of the evaluation is to assess the role and outcomes of peer involvement in systems change at community, health authority, and provincial levels. Specific objectives were to 1) assess the extent to which the activities of existing, new and emerging DUGs support and contribute to full and meaningful participation in systems change, and 2) document any changes to social and political capital of groups and their capacity for networking with each other and other system stakeholders.

The evaluation used a participatory approach, with input from BCYADWS at each stage (from design, to data collection and analysis, and knowledge translation). Activities included a narrative review of BCYADWS documentation, and interviews with representatives from 18 DUGs (n=23) and health planners (n=16) from the five regional health authorities and selected Community Action Teams. Data collection provided insights into the current status of local DUGs and a centralized hub that together form a network.

Progress to date

Project activities were completed in May 2021, and a final report was submitted to funders. Knowledge translation is ongoing.