Urgent Help
Is this an emergency?
Are you or others in danger? Do you need an ambulance or the police?
000
Lifeline
24 hour phone line for crisis support and suicide prevention.
12 11 14
Kids Help Line
24 hour phone line. A free counselling service for young people across Australia aged between 5-25 years.
1800 55 1800
Beyond Blue
24 hour phone line for support, information and advice.
1300 224 636
Drug facts & info

Universal harm reduction strategies

Share
Print + Download

Universal Harm Reduction Strategies

These are just a few ways for a young person to stay safe no matter what they are using.
  • Make a plan prior to using, get them to plan to only use a certain amount, get them to make a “just in case” plan, and get them to plan how they are going to get for heaps more.
  • Let someone know if you are not feeling well after using.
  • Talk to a young person about having a person to call in case they are feeling worried, paranoid or start to panic.
  • Call an ambulance if you are worried at any point about themselves or a friend. Remind them that an ambulance will not call the police.
  • Try a small amount first, wait to see how the drug affects them before taking more. 
  • Never using alone.
  • Take regular breaks from use to avoid dependency.
  • Stay hydrated when they are using
  • Think about the dangers of drinking and using drugs and driving or getting in a car with someone who has been drinking or taking drugs.
  • Be in a safe and comfortable space.

Needing more guidance or a secondary consult? Reach out to the YoDAA team for some more nuanced advice.

Get help now

YoDAA is a free and confidential online and phone service that offers supports to young people, families and professionals. You can contact 9am – 5pm Monday to Friday.

Further Reading

When is AOD considered a problem with adolescents

Advocating for young people in schools

What is AOD Youth Work

Tailoring support options to need

Related Articles

Youth AOD work
Advocating for young people in schools

Post excerpt: ut enim blandit volutpat maecenas volutpat blandit aliquam etiam erat velit scelerisque in dictum non consectetur a erat nam at lectus urna duis convallis convallis tellus id interdum…

Is Rat Park the best way to look at substance use?

At the time research undertaken by Dr Bruce Alexander aimed to debunk some of the myths around addiction. Whilst successful in this worthwhile endeavour unintentionally the experiment perpetuated unhelpful stereotypes…

Youth AOD work
Why do young people develop AOD problems

Understanding pathways into problematic drug or alcohol use promotes an empathetic approach to supporting young people.