Table 2.

Lessons and strategies for engaging people who use substances or peers as active members of a research project

Hiring and recruiting  • Hiring over the duration of the project rather than a short, one-off commitment  • Hire more than one peer within each region to promote support and representativeness  • Engage with peer-based organizations wherever possible

Fair compensation  • Pay peers the same as others (who do not have substance use experience) in similar roles  • Navigate institutional and structural barriers to compensation early on  • Discuss barriers early on and develop solutions together  • Be transparent and flexible with compensation

• Lessons and strategies for engaging people who use substances Gather feedback or develop the job advertisement with peers, including the description of what the role entails  • Develop a team memorandum of understanding early on; revisit this often

Communication  • Adapt communication to different learning styles and literacy  • When possible, do training and other activities with peers in person

Connection and collaboration  • Meet often and consistently  • Print and mail all materials if working remotely  • Be flexible and committed; give space and support as participation shifts across time

Mentorship  • Hire a peer mentor early on who can help navigate the process and support others

Peer-facilitated research  • Ensure peers participate in as much decision making as possible, not just some decisions (or decisions that are convenient)  • Ensure peers are involved and provide feedback on any materials that have been developed by others early on and throughout the process – beginning to end