A significant number of the estimated 13.2 million injecting drug users worldwide are young people. Globally, five per cent of all deaths of people between the ages of 5 and 29 in 1990 were attributable to alcohol use. Drugs such as cannabis and amphetamine are some of the most commonly used drugs amongst youth in every region of the world. While drugs become increasingly available to young people, resources necessary to providing accurate information about reducing drug related harms are scarce and mostly adult-oriented. Scare tactics have been used throughout history to prevent drug use amongst young people yet they have been proven to be ineffective. Such programs lack understanding for young people’s experiences and provide a judgmental and unsafe environment for young people to discuss drug use and their related harms. Young drug users continue to feel alienated, excluded and stigmatized by many mainstream health practitioners, policy makers, educators, and the general society.

Young people who have experienced or are affected by drug use are rarely included in the design and delivery of comprehensive prevention, education, outreach and treatment programs. Providing training and developing resources for young people most-at risk for drug-related harm and HIV/AIDS has been a priority for Youth RISE since its inception.

Youth RISE was formed to address these many complex drug-related issues affecting young people today. The majority of these risks and harms can be reduced through honest education, provision of safer means of using drugs and implementation of humane drug laws: this is harm reduction.

Given the growing rates of HIV infection among young people due to injecting drug use, and the multiple other harms, risks and barriers youth face with regards to drug-related harms (including alcohol), Youth RISE hopes to engage young people in decision-making processes, research and training initiatives in order to develop interventions that will be effective for young peer groups. For this reason, Youth RISE is looking for young people who have an experience or interest in harm reduction and drug policy to participate and to help shape the vision, goals and priorities of the network, from a global perspective. Take action and get connected with Youth RISE today!