The “Translators”: Engaging Former Drug Users as Key Research Staff to Design and Implement a Risk Reduction Program for Rural Cocaine Users

Abstract

This manuscript describes lessons learned in the development and implementation of a clinical behavioral trial to reduce sexual risk among African-American cocaine users in rural Arkansas, from the perspectives of a multidisciplinary investigative team and community staff members with a history as local drug users who served as “translators.” Recommendations for investigators doing community-based research with active substance users are provided in the following domains: (a) engaging the community during formative research, (b) establishing bidirectional trust, (c) ensuring community voices are heard, and (d) managing conflict. The “translator's” role is critical to the success of such projects.

Keywords :

• community-based participatory research
• sexual risk
• rural health
• minority health
• cocaine
• intervention research
• peer outreach
• African-Americans

THE AUTHORS

Katharine E. Stewart received her MPH and Ph.D. from the University of Alabama at Birmingham. She was an undergraduate at UNC-Chapel Hill. She currently serves the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences as Professor of Health Behavior and Health Education and as Associate Dean of Academic Affairs. Dr. Stewart's research activities focus on developing behavioral interventions to prevent HIV and STIs, and to improving quality of life and health outcomes among persons living with HIV.

Patricia B. Wright, MPH, RN, is a Project Director and doctoral student within the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Her research focus is in improving rural health delivery systems for vulnerable and at-risk individuals, especially substance users.

Desi Sims served as Field Supervisor for several grant projects for the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Psychiatric Research Institute and the College of Public Health. He is a former addict. He is a pastor and works with youth and addicts that are attempting to change their lives.

Kathy Russell Tyner is a Research Coordinator with the Fay W. Boozman College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. She is a recovering addict and has worked in the research field for 8 years on several grant projects dealing with active drug users.

Brooke E. E. Montgomery received her Ph.D. in health promotion and prevention research from the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Public Health (UAMS COPH). She received her MPH from the UAMS COPH in 2007 and her B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis in 2002. Her area of research interest is HIV prevention in minority communities.