Urgent Help

Is this an emergency?

Are you or others in danger? Do you need an ambulance or the police?

24 hour phone line for crisis support and suicide prevention.

24 hour phone line. A free counselling service for young people across Australia aged between 5-25 years.

24 hour phone line for support, information and advice.

Self help options

Self help options

Staying as safe as you can

Share

Print + Download

Regardless of what you use, you can always try to be as safe as possible!

Whether you are trying a drug for the first time, been using ‘full-on’ for years, whether you smoke, swallow, inject or sniff, or you drink alcohol, or use heroin or the newest designer drug, there is one thing that should be common to everyone. You can always try to be as safe as you can when using.

There are general tips for staying safe and tips specific to different drugs.

Sometimes putting every bit of harm reduction advice into practice can be hard. For instance, getting a taxi home after drinking might be safer than walking home but if you have no money, this is hard. None-the-less the more aware you are of how to stay safe the more you can have some choice over your health.

Our Top Tips for Staying Safe article has some great tips for staying safe no matter what you are using, or check out some our drug facts for young people, for tips and resources tailored to your drugs of choice.

It takes courage to change. Remember you are not alone & other young people have been in your shoes.

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

Looking after yourself when you’re using

Cutting down without stopping

Slip-ups and using again

Top Tips For Staying Safe

Understanding why I use

Related Articles

I want to cut down or stop

Tips for helping a friend who has had too much

Signs to look out for that indicate your friend might have overdosed, and how to support them through it so they come out the other side.

Signs to look out for that indicate your friend might have overdosed, and how to support them through it so they come out the other side.

What Happens After 25?

Read on to find out how to access residential and community based support options across Victoria once you turn 25 and need to access Adult Support Services. It’s not too hard but you need to do a bit more yourself.

Read on to find out how to access residential and community based support options across Victoria once you turn 25 and need to access Adult Support Services. It’s not too…

Not sure what I want to do

Single Session Family Consultation [SSFC]

YoDAA can provide a neutral, confidential space led by professionals who understand the challenges families face. Their role is to support healthier communication—not to judge or take sides. Sometimes one good conversation is enough to shift things in a better direction.

YoDAA can provide a neutral, confidential space led by professionals who understand the challenges families face. Their role is to support healthier communication—not to judge or take sides. Sometimes one good conversation is…

Duty of Care

We will always do our best to make sure you and others are safe, If we become concerned about your safety (or anyone else’s) during a chat or phone session or because of the contents of an email.

We will always do our best to make sure you and others are safe, If we become concerned about your safety (or anyone else’s) during a chat or phone session or…

Not sure what I want to do

Top tips for staying safe

Staying safe is the most important thing. That starts with knowing what you are taking! Ask and research everything you can about a drug. Do your research. Where possible, know what you are taking, What are its effects, how long will they last, does it have side effects?

Staying safe is the most important thing. That starts with knowing what you are taking! Ask and research everything you can about a drug. Do your research. Where possible, know what…

Not sure what I want to do

Reasons drugs can become a problem

There are many reasons drug or alcohol use can become a problem for someone but it’s always something more than just ‘bad luck’.

There are many reasons drug or alcohol use can become a problem for someone but it’s always something more than just ‘bad luck’.

I want to cut down or stop

Tips for helping a friend who has had too much

Signs to look out for that indicate your friend might have overdosed, and how to support them through it so they come out the other side.

Signs to look out for that indicate your friend might have overdosed, and how to support them through it so they come out the other side.

What Happens After 25?

Read on to find out how to access residential and community based support options across Victoria once you turn 25 and need to access Adult Support Services. It’s not too hard but you need to do a bit more yourself.

Read on to find out how to access residential and community based support options across Victoria once you turn 25 and need to access Adult Support Services. It’s not too…

Not sure what I want to do

Single Session Family Consultation [SSFC]

YoDAA can provide a neutral, confidential space led by professionals who understand the challenges families face. Their role is to support healthier communication—not to judge or take sides. Sometimes one good conversation is enough to shift things in a better direction.

YoDAA can provide a neutral, confidential space led by professionals who understand the challenges families face. Their role is to support healthier communication—not to judge or take sides. Sometimes one good conversation is…