ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF
ORWs AND PEs
WHO CAN BE AN ORW?
An ORW should:
 Preferably be from drug using community (ex-user and/or undergoing
OST)
 Be a local resident of the project area
 Know the local language
 Should understand the local cultural and social context
 Be able to read and write
WHO CAN BE A PE?
A current/active user:
 Who exhibits the aptitude and desire to work among peers
 Belonging to vast networks is ideal
 Should be a local resident of the project area and have a good
understanding of the drug use context of the area
 Should have the goodwill of his peers (should be accepted by peers)
 Should know local language
QUALITIES OF AN ORW
An Outreach Worker should:
 Have strong commitment to work with IDU
 Have respect for IDU and their partners
 Have ability to reach and relate to IDU on their terms, and
communicate concern
 Exhibit potential and confidence for leadership
 Be flexible in approach to various lifestyles of IDU
 Be able to follow directions, yet take initiative
 Maintain confidentiality
CONTD.
An Outreach Worker should:
 Be able to take risks and discern when risks are unacceptable
 Be able to work alone as well as in a team
 Be tough-minded but not judgemental
 Be stable, mature and creative
 Have communicative, organisational and record keeping skills
 Have the ability to network and familiarity with health and
social services
QUALITIES OF A PE
A Peer Educator should:
 Have ability to remain non-judgmental
 Exhibit active concern for peers
 Maintain confidentiality
 Demonstrate good listening and learning skills
 Be eager to establish oneself as IDU role model; ability to influence
‘peer norms’
 Have the ability to control their drug use at work
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ORW
 Develop work plan
 Identify Peer Educators and stakeholders
 Meet regularly with Peer Educator
 Build capacity of, monitor and supervise PE
 Provide education on HIV/AIDS, STI, BBV, safer injecting,
safer sex practices, sex, sexuality and gender, overdose,
importance of early treatment and services available
 Engage in analysis & problem solving
CONTD.
 Ensure regular and uninterrupted delivery of harm reduction
materials
 Engage in risk reduction/behaviour change communication
 Initiate formation of IDU support groups, facilitate group/s
meetings and foster activities that strengthens group bonding
cohesion
 Organize advocacy/meetings
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF PE
 Initiate contact with peers (rapport building) and maintain regular contact
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in a planned manner
Support sharing of information within networks and between networks
Facilitate linkages between peers and project (workers and services)
Educate peers on STI/HIV, and other BBVs, harm reduction etc. through
one-on-one and one to group sessions
Conduct individual risk assessment of peers
CONTD.
 Teach peers to negotiate safer injecting and safer sex
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practices
Deliver (and assist peers to access) harm reduction services
such as NSEP, STI etc.
Assist in referrals to ICTC/DOTS and allied health care
services;
Represent peer interests at various platforms
Motivate peers to join/participate in support groups
activities and facilitate the group development processes