"We are the first responders": Overdose response experiences and perspectives among peers in British Columbia

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dc.contributor.authorMamdani, Zahra
dc.contributor.authorLoyal, Jackson P.
dc.contributor.authorXavier, Jessica
dc.contributor.authorPauly, Bernie
dc.contributor.authorAckermann, Emma
dc.contributor.authorBarbic, Skye
dc.contributor.authorBuxton, Jane A.
dc.contributor.authorGreer, Alissa
dc.date.accessioned2025-03-18T16:02:05Z
dc.date.available2025-03-18T16:02:05Z
dc.date.issued2024
dc.description.abstractPeers, i.e. people with lived/living experience of substance use, are at the forefront of harm reduction initiatives in British Columbia, yet they often lack recognition for their contributions. This study aims to understand the role of peers in overdose response settings and their experiences interacting with emergency service providers (ESPs) within the context of the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act (GSDOA). Telephone interviews were conducted with 42 people aged 16 years and older, who were likely to witness and respond to overdoses. Participants were asked about their experiences witnessing or responding to overdoses, and interactions with ESPs. Interview transcripts were analyzed thematically. Peers were often the first to respond to overdoses due to their positioning and saw themselves as having unique expertise in responding to overdoses and connecting with other people who use substances. However, peers perceived several barriers that impacted their ability to respond, including stigmatizing attitudes toward ESPs, lack of recognition, and lack of adequate resources. While policies, such as the GSDOA are in place to promote calling 9-1-1, peers feel confident and competent in responding to overdoses and often consider calling 9-1-1 a waste of resources. There is a need to better recognize and support peers as first responders in overdose contexts.
dc.description.sponsorshipThis work was supported by the BC Ministry of Health. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection, analysis, and interpretation of data or in the writing of the manuscript.
dc.identifier.citationMamdani, Z., Loyal, J. P., Xavier, J., Pauly, B., Ackermann, E., Barbic, S., Buxton, J. A., & Greer, A. (2024). "We are the first responders": Overdose response experiences and perspectives among peers in British Columbia. Drugs Education Prevention and Policy, 31(1), 91–104. https://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2022.2132134
dc.identifier.urihttps://doi.org/10.1080/09687637.2022.2132134
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1828/21666
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherDrugs: Education, Prevention and Policy
dc.rightsCC BY-NC-ND 4.0
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
dc.subjectfirst responder
dc.subjectoverdose response
dc.subjectpeers
dc.title"We are the first responders": Overdose response experiences and perspectives among peers in British Columbia
dc.typeArticle

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