This training provides an accessible, evidence-informed introduction to harm reduction principles and their application within youth and young adult substance use services. Drawing on themes from Undoing Drugs and contemporary harm reduction research, this training will explore the historical and political context of the War on Drugs, how criminalization shapes service delivery, and the evolution of harm reduction as both a philosophy and public health practice.
Special emphasis will be placed on translating harm reduction into youth-centered engagement strategies — particularly for young people navigating trauma, systems involvement, or abstinence-based service environments. Participants will learn practical tools for supporting safety, autonomy, and connection while fostering an ethos shift toward compassion-based care.