Peer Navigation & Treatment Support

Peer navigation is all about one-on-one support, where people who've been through similar life experiences guide and support others in their journey. A peer navigator is someone with lived experience having experienced substance use disorder within their own lives.

In the context of harm reduction, peer navigators play a crucial role in educating, supporting and empowering our community members who are at risk or impacted by substance use and HIV/AIDS. They share firsthand knowledge and expertise to connect individuals to various resources and supports.

"Nothing about us without us."

Peer navigators:

• Identify barriers to health services & address inequities.
• Have expertise in current substance use trends.
• Support harm reduction & multiple recovery pathways.
• Advocate for people who use drugs and people in recovery.
• Practice person-centered care.
• Meet people where they are.

Peers in our program do important work for our community. The role involves developing plans to find at-risk individuals, perform outreach activities to engage communities, and creating personalized support to help aid clients in accessing the services they want. They reach out to individuals who engage in high-risk behaviors, including those who may have experienced an overdose, offering harm reduction supplies and resources.

Peer navigators are advocates; providing education, support, and help to bridge the gap to treatment and recovery options. Respect and empathy in these interactions is crucial to stopping stigma and providing connection based on care and compassion.

Our peer navigators are here to help individuals facing challenges by developing trusting relationships and offering support. Peers are understanding and respectful. They have a working knowledge of community services, including substance use treatment, housing, and mental health resources.

Peers work with service providers to link clients to medical care and social support options. They use their skills to create client-centered plans by meeting people where they are with the help they need. 

We have a variety of other resources available to get you connected with the treatment you need:

• 24-Hour Addiction Hotline 716-831-7007 -Get immediate help, education, information, referrals and assistance with linking to addiction treatment services. Call us for consultation, support and direct linkage to an assessment counselor to help connect with the best type of treatment as quickly as possible.
• 24 Hour Crisis Hotline: Call 716-834-3131
• SAMHSA’s National Helpline: Call 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
• WNY Opioid Addiction Treatment 24/7 Virtual Care: Call 716-463-6222
• Erie Path App
• Never Use Alone Prevention Line (877)696-1996
• NAMI Buffalo & WNY https://www.namibuffalony.org/treatment-resources/ 

• Naloxone (Narcan) Access & Training
• Harm Reduction Resources
• Harm Reduction Data
• Cannabis

• Medication Disposal & Needle Access/Disposal
• Bridge Erie to Harm Reduction
• Overdose Fatality Review (OFR) Program