People who use drugs, and particularly people experiencing addiction, are rarely afforded the opportunity to have their voices heard when it comes to drug treatment or drug policy or even when attempting to define themselves and their life experiences. Of course, there is much more to a person than one area of their behaviour. The current study seeks to capture and understand the lived experiences of people who use drugs, with a focus on their relationships and helping behaviour. We interviewed 32 participants in a harm reduction program seeking to provide understanding beyond stigmatizing and criminalizing drug narratives, by exploring their motivation and context for helping behaviours. Grounded theory methodology was used to understand the patterns of helping behaviour, along with the contexts in which help is or is not given. We particularly focus on participants' distribution of syringes and carrying medicine to reverse overdose (naloxone). Participants shared stories of altruism and mutual aid, along with barriers and disincentives to helping others. We situate these behaviours within contrasting environments of a free harm reduction program and the competitive market system of the U.S. society. Implications for practice and public policy are discussed.

中文翻译：

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帮助吸毒者的行为：利他主义和互助性减低危害计划

吸毒者，尤其是成瘾者，很少有机会听到有关毒品治疗或毒品政策的声音，甚至是试图定义自己和生活经历的声音。当然，对于一个人而言，除了行为范围之外，还有很多其他方面。当前的研究旨在捕获和了解吸毒者的生活经历，重点是他们之间的关系和帮助行为。我们采访了一项减少伤害计划的32名参与者，他们试图通过探索他们帮助行为的动机和背景，来提供更多的了解，而不仅是对毒品叙事进行侮辱和定罪。扎根的理论方法用于理解帮助行​​为的模式以及提供或不提供帮助的环境。我们特别关注参与者的注射器分发和携带药物以逆转过量（纳洛酮）。与会者分享了利他主义和互助的故事，以及帮助他人的障碍和阻碍因素。我们将这些行为置于免费危害减少计划和美国社会竞争性市场体系形成鲜明对比的环境中。讨论了对实践和公共政策的影响。