KOR

e-Article

The challenges, opportunities and strategies of engaging young people who use drugs in harm reduction: insights from young people with lived and living experience
Document Type
article
Source
Harm Reduction Journal, Vol 19, Iss 1, Pp 1-6 (2022)
Subject
Young people who use drugs
Youth
drug use
Harm reduction
Engagement
Lived-experience
Participation
Public aspects of medicine
RA1-1270
Language
English
ISSN
1477-7517
Abstract
Abstract The meaningful inclusion of young people who use or have used drugs is a fundamental aspect of harm reduction, including in program design, research, service provision, and advocacy efforts. However, there are very few examples of meaningful and equitable engagement of young people who use drugs in harm reduction, globally. Youth continue to be excluded from harm reduction programming and policymaking; when they are included, they often face tokenistic efforts that lack clear expectations, equitable work conditions, and are rarely afforded agency and autonomy over decision-making. In this commentary, we identify and discuss issues in youth engagement, and offer recommendations for the future of harm reduction.