This page is dedicated to resources specifically centering youth who use drugs, but that doesn’t mean youth cannot, or should not, access the resources on our general Harm Reduction Resources page. Our general resource page is available to anyone who wants or needs those resources.
“Young [people who use drugs] are champions in health promotion and harm reduction, both for themselves and the broader community. Their meaningful inclusion and engagement will continue to be a key driver of effective planning, service delivery, and evaluation of harm reduction interventions and programs.”
The challenges, opportunities and strategies of engaging young people who use drugs in harm reduction: insights from young people with lived and living experience, Harm Reduction Journal
Get Sensible – Get Sensible is a series of resource booklets about cannabis harm reduction. The content is from Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP), a grassroots network of youth and students concerned about the negative impact drug policies have on individuals and communities.
Chemsex Resource Guide created by young people at Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights.
YouthCO – YouthCO is an organization of youth leaders within the HIV and Hepatitis C movements, providing peer education and support.
Adultism is a bias or prejudice against young people, based on the belief that adults are superior. Adultism leads to discrimination against young people, infringement on the autonomy of young people, and a devaluing of youth voices and perspectives.
Adultism is a barrier to youth-centered harm reduction, whether by believing youth aren’t capable of handling information about drugs or through policies preventing people under 18 from accessing harm reduction programs.
We Need Harm Reduction Built for and Led by Youth Who Use Drugs – This article outlines the need for youth-centered harm reduction, including 10 calls to action from the Youth Health Advisory Council in Lisbon.
Know Your Healthcare Rights – Minnesota-specific advocacy guide for youth to know their legal rights around healthcare
Youth RISE – Youth RISE mobilizes youth to engage in drug policy reform and full-spectrum harm reduction. Their library contains a breadth of resources including guides for youth interested in advocacy, recommendations for supporting youth sex workers, and “Know Your Rights” toolkits.
Protecting the rights of young people in the area of drugs and drug policy recommendations from Youth Organizations for Drug Action.
Preparing for work with children and young people who inject drugs – This Toolkit is intended for harm reduction service providers with limited experience in working with people under 18 who inject drugs, made by Harm Reduction International.
Talking to Partners About Drug Use – Teen Health Source’s guide for setting boundaries around substance use in a relationship
What To Do When Your Partner Pressures You To Use Drugs – Love is Respect