M od u l e 3 : O r g a n i z at i o n a l Iss u e s SAPs faces unique organizational issues given the unconventional work environment, varied personal experience of staff and volunteers, and the commitment to creating a workplace that is consistent with the social justice values of harm reduction. For an SAP to be truly successful in upholding its principles, operations and relations with staff must be consistent with the nonjudgmental, holistic and empathetic services it provides to participants. “Know Thyself” An SAP is more than a social service or public health intervention. It is a creative social justice project that has the potential to challenge your world-view and take you to new and exciting places – personally as well as professionally. Understanding what brings you and others to the work of starting an SAP is an important step in the process. Consider the following questions for yourself and encourage potential staff to do the same: • What personal experience drives you to do this work? • Why are SAPs important to you? • What do you hope to gain from starting the SAP? • What are your fears or anxieties as you enter into the process of starting an SAP? • What strengths, and weaknesses, do you bring to the work? • What biases do you bring to the work? • Do you feel supported by your agency? • What resources do you have for nourishing your spirit and keeping yourself grounded throughout the process? Some of these questions may seem relevant to you; others may not. Perhaps there are other questions that will help you to locate yourself within the work. Either way, careful consideration of all that you and/or your agency hope to achieve in pursuing this project will likely prove helpful throughout the process.
ST AFFING C O NSIDER A T IO NS A strong team of staff and volunteers brings varied experience, skills and energy to the SAP. Building a competent, knowledgeable and approachable staff will ensure good relationships with engaged participants. A unified staff that works well together and feels supported will be able to function as a better team, resulting in a safer and more enjoyable work environment. All staff must be on board with the mission and vision of the SAP and should understand the need for syringe access as well as the various components that make up the SAP. SAPs face unique staffing challenges. For an SAP, hiring staff with current and past experience with drug use is an asset and a responsibility. It can be difficult to manage dynamics between staff with histories of drug use and those who may have limited or no experience with drug use. Also, staff are likely to have different educational backgrounds and varied employment histories. A well-run SAP ensures that the skills of all staff and volunteers are maximized and utilized in an appropriate way. Before beginning the hiring process, evaluate the total number of individuals that will be needed to run the program. -51-
