Effective Community Engagement Strategies: The Voices of Injection Drug Users
Academic and community interactions are often conducted with good intentions. However, there is exploitation risk for populations engaging in illegal activities. Collaborations with injection drug users (IDUs) can highlight their expertise and support progressive research. The objective of our resea...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
The University of Alabama
2022-07-01
|
| Series: | Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship |
| Online Access: | https://account.jces.ua.edu/index.php/s-j-jces/article/view/204 |
| _version_ | 1797733293736591360 |
|---|---|
| author | Elizabeth D. Gilbert Devin Laedtke Teresa A. Sharp Stephanie Wood Lisa Raville |
| author_facet | Elizabeth D. Gilbert Devin Laedtke Teresa A. Sharp Stephanie Wood Lisa Raville |
| author_sort | Elizabeth D. Gilbert |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Academic and community interactions are often conducted with good intentions. However, there is exploitation risk for populations engaging in illegal activities. Collaborations with injection drug users (IDUs) can highlight their expertise and support progressive research. The objective of our research was to use community-based participatory research principles to give voice to IDUs, define community, and recommend authentic engagement strategies. In Phase 1, 10 focus groups (n=33, ages 25–64) helped define community and collaborative partnerships. In Phase 2, community forums with 13 additional IDUs provided feedback on focus group themes. Results: (1) primary themes defining community—geography and social networks; (2) community qualities—respectful, accepting, outcasts, and welcoming; (3) engagement recommendations—incentives, recognizing potential for contributions, treating IDUs respectfully, using research results for positive benefit. Conclusions: Providing voice to marginalized communities allows for self-definition, description of needs, and authentic engagement recommendations. This information is crucial for developing effective programs and creating sustainable collaborations between IDUs and academics. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-12T12:27:04Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-be471d5565094b6ebbe739718d286104 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1944-1207 2837-8075 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-12T12:27:04Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | The University of Alabama |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship |
| spelling | doaj.art-be471d5565094b6ebbe739718d2861042023-08-29T21:04:42ZengThe University of AlabamaJournal of Community Engagement and Scholarship1944-12072837-80752022-07-0110210.54656/TDLM1683Effective Community Engagement Strategies: The Voices of Injection Drug UsersElizabeth D. Gilbert0Devin Laedtke1Teresa A. Sharp2Stephanie Wood3Lisa Raville4University of Northern ColoradoUniversity of Colorado, DenverUniversity of Northern ColoradoTacoma Pierce County Health DepartmentHarm Reduction Action CenterAcademic and community interactions are often conducted with good intentions. However, there is exploitation risk for populations engaging in illegal activities. Collaborations with injection drug users (IDUs) can highlight their expertise and support progressive research. The objective of our research was to use community-based participatory research principles to give voice to IDUs, define community, and recommend authentic engagement strategies. In Phase 1, 10 focus groups (n=33, ages 25–64) helped define community and collaborative partnerships. In Phase 2, community forums with 13 additional IDUs provided feedback on focus group themes. Results: (1) primary themes defining community—geography and social networks; (2) community qualities—respectful, accepting, outcasts, and welcoming; (3) engagement recommendations—incentives, recognizing potential for contributions, treating IDUs respectfully, using research results for positive benefit. Conclusions: Providing voice to marginalized communities allows for self-definition, description of needs, and authentic engagement recommendations. This information is crucial for developing effective programs and creating sustainable collaborations between IDUs and academics.https://account.jces.ua.edu/index.php/s-j-jces/article/view/204 |
| spellingShingle | Elizabeth D. Gilbert Devin Laedtke Teresa A. Sharp Stephanie Wood Lisa Raville Effective Community Engagement Strategies: The Voices of Injection Drug Users Journal of Community Engagement and Scholarship |
| title | Effective Community Engagement Strategies: The Voices of Injection Drug Users |
| title_full | Effective Community Engagement Strategies: The Voices of Injection Drug Users |
| title_fullStr | Effective Community Engagement Strategies: The Voices of Injection Drug Users |
| title_full_unstemmed | Effective Community Engagement Strategies: The Voices of Injection Drug Users |
| title_short | Effective Community Engagement Strategies: The Voices of Injection Drug Users |
| title_sort | effective community engagement strategies the voices of injection drug users |
| url | https://account.jces.ua.edu/index.php/s-j-jces/article/view/204 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT elizabethdgilbert effectivecommunityengagementstrategiesthevoicesofinjectiondrugusers AT devinlaedtke effectivecommunityengagementstrategiesthevoicesofinjectiondrugusers AT teresaasharp effectivecommunityengagementstrategiesthevoicesofinjectiondrugusers AT stephaniewood effectivecommunityengagementstrategiesthevoicesofinjectiondrugusers AT lisaraville effectivecommunityengagementstrategiesthevoicesofinjectiondrugusers |