Youth R.I.S.E (Resources, Information, Support, and Education for reducing drug related harm) represents a youth-led network aiming to increase the engagement and social inclusion of young people affected by drug use in the policies and decisions that affect their lives, thereby both increasing the effectiveness of programmes and services, and the health outcomes of the children and youth involved. The network also recognises that primary prevention is one aspect of harm reduction that is often glossed over (since harm reduction implicitly works with current users), but it has a central and important role to play amongst young people. (Youth RISE defines young people as 15-24).
Young people face a wide range of specific barriers when it comes to accessing harm reduction services, advocating for harm reduction interventions or engaging with harm reduction organisations or donors at a national, regional or international level. Street children, young drug users, and young people involved in the sex trade often face extreme marginalisation and social exclusion.
