Principles of Harm Reduction for Young People Who Use Drugs.

In summarizing the proceedings of a longitudinal meeting of experts on substance use disorders among adolescents and young adults, we review 2 principles of care related to harm reduction for young adults with substance use disorders. The first is that harm reduction services are critical to keeping young adults alive and healthy and can offer opportunities for future engagement in treatment. Such services therefore should be offered at every opportunity, regardless of an individual's interest or ability to minimize use of substances. The second is that all evidence-based harm reduction strategies available to older adults should be available to young adults and that whenever possible, harm reduction programs should be tailored to young adults and be developmentally appropriate.
Competing Interests: POTENTIAL CONFLICT OF INTEREST: Dr Kimmel received consulting fees from Abt Associates to support a Massachusetts Department of Public Health funded project to improve access to medications for opioid use disorder in skilled nursing facilities. The other authors have indicated they have no potential conflicts of interest to disclose.
(Copyright © 2021 by the American Academy of Pediatrics.)