The reality of drug use among young people continues to be a sensitive issue for many public health and drugs service providers. Predominant approaches that solely focus on drug prevention and ‘just say no’ approaches has left this vulnerable population largely silenced, neglected, stigmatized, and without their needs met. Honest conversations about how to reduce harms related to drug use amongst youth are avoided, and while harm reduction approaches to drug use continue to be implemented and expanded, young people have not benefited from these evidence based services. A number of significant barriers have affected the ability of young people to access life saving harm reduction interventions, including the lack of targeted youth specific services.

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Evidence continues to show that young people are highly vulnerable to experiencing drug related harms including HIV and hepatitis. We also now know that harm reduction approaches are among the most effective measures to protect the health and wellbeing of people who use drugs. Young people also have a right to access these services, however they also require a specific, targeted approach that is accessible, that matches their needs, and that is age appropriate.