A new report by the BC Centre for Disease Control suggests paying drug users as much as 50 dollars an hour for their expertise.
In the report, the Centre says that the experience and perspective of drug users is being grossly undervalued amidst efforts to solve the drug overdose crisis in the province.
The report suggests paying drug users 25 dollars an hour for meetings and advisory roles, 30 an hour for peer support work, and 50 dollars an hour to craft presentations.
People currently filling these roles at certain centres earn as little as 7 dollars an hour.
Aimed at health authorities and organizations, the report claims that peers could offer insight on policy and programs, and ultimately empower other users.