Harm reduction calls to action from young people who use drugs on the streets of Vancouver and Lisbon

Commentary
by
Canêdo, Joana et al

Release Date

2022

Geography

International

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

Yes

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Findings/Key points

In Vancouver and Lisbon, drug user activists and their allies have waged fierce battles for these policy reforms. There is no question that hard-won interventions like syringe exchanges, low-barrier OAT programs, peer-to-peer overdose prevention (naloxone) programs, and drug consumption sites save lives. However, we challenge the notion that internationally celebrated places like Lisbon and Vancouver are meeting the harm reduction needs of young people who use drugs (YPWUD; referring here to individuals between the ages of 14 and 29).

Keywords

Harm reduction
Policy/Regulatory
Barriers and enablers
About PWUD
Illegal drugs
Youth
SCS/OPS