Drug Checking Harm Reduction Peer Worker (Events)

Harm Reduction Peer Workers (HRPWs) bring their living experience of drug use to the provision of drug checking services in Victoria. Working alongside The Loop’s Health & Harm Reduction Workers and as equal participants in service delivery, HRPWs are employed under the amendments to the Drugs, Poisons & Controlled Substances Act as “General Drug Checking Workers” for the provision of harm reduction information to service users, which includes: information about test results, information about reducing risk, and/or information about access to health and other services. HRPWs will be casually employed in one, or both, of 2 service specialisations: Events & Fixed Site. Each role specialisation will require unique skills, living experiences and community knowledge to ensure we’re providing the best peer-to-peer service possible.  HRPW (Events) may also apply to work at the fixed-site location later in 2025.

Essential:

• A passion for peer-based, drug-related harm reduction and health promotion.
• Living experience of substance use in a live event or music festival environment.
• Demonstrated experience working or volunteering in a peer-based harm reduction role.
• Sound understanding of drug effects, pharmacokinetics, contraindications and harm reduction strategies.
• Ability to work in new, dynamic and unpredictable environments as part of a team.
• Experience working in harm reduction services at events

Desirable:

• Knowledge of drug markets, trends and emerging novel psychoactive substances.
• Experience working or volunteering in drug checking services.