Eight core guiding principles for the ARTEMIS PAC:
- Diverse and Representative: ARTEMIS PAC should be diverse and representative of diversity in the recovery community.
- Confidentiality: PAC members and researchers will adhere to confidentiality within the group. Any personal information that is shared within the group should be kept private (what is said here, stays here).
- Dignity and Respect: PAC members and researchers will listen to and honor each member’s perspectives and choices. Knowledge, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds are all valued, as we strive to co-create a safe space.
- Information Sharing: Researchers will communicate and share complete and unbiased information with participants and strive to do so in ways that are affirming and useful. PAC members will receive timely and accurate information to effectively participate. Participants will be given multiple methods for sharing information with each other and with ARTEMIS staff. PAC members will be informed of expectations at the start, but these expectations should be revisited routinely.
- Participation/Committed Engagement: PAC members are encouraged and supported in participating and decision-making, to the level that feels comfortable for them while remaining attentive and engaged.
- Collaboration: PAC members and researchers collaborate in the process of program development, implementation, outcomes assessment, and evaluation.
- Considerations for People with Living Experience: Expectations around substance use before meetings should focus on member’s ability to effectively participate and meet all other expectations. If members come to meetings able to participate, and not completely inebriated, use of drugs before a meeting shouldn’t be an issue.
- Co-Created: Any additional expectations should be co-created–in collaboration with the PAC members and researchers and amended as necessary.