Abstract:
In the Global South, young people who use drugs (YPWUD) are exposed to multiple interconnected social and health harms, with many low- and middle-income countries enforcing racist, prohibitionist-based drug policies that generate physical and structural violence. While harm reduction coverage for YPWUD is suboptimal globally, in low- and middle-income countries youth-focused harm reduction programs are particularly lacking. Those that do exist are often powerfully shaped by global health funding regimes that restrict progressive approaches and reach. In this commentary we highlight the efforts of young people, activists, allies, and organisations across some Global South settings to enact programs such as those focused on peer-to-peer information sharing and advocacy, overdose monitoring and response, and drug checking. We draw on our experiential knowledge and expertise to identify and discuss key challenges, opportunities, and recommendations for youth harm reduction movements, programs and practices in low- to middle-income countries and beyond, focusing on the need for youth-driven interventions. We conclude this commentary with several calls to action to advance harm reduction for YPWUD within and across Global South settings.
摘要:
在全球南方,使用毒品的年轻人(YPWUD)面临多种相互关联的社会和健康危害,许多低收入和中等收入国家实施种族主义,基于禁止主义的毒品政策,产生身体和结构暴力。虽然YPWUD的伤害减少覆盖率在全球范围内是次优的,在低收入和中等收入国家,特别缺乏以青年为重点的减少伤害计划。确实存在的那些通常受到全球卫生筹资制度的有力影响,这些制度限制了逐步的方法和覆盖范围。在这篇评论中,我们强调了年轻人的努力,激进分子,盟友,和一些全球南方环境中的组织制定计划,例如专注于点对点信息共享和倡导的计划,过量监测和反应,和药物检查。我们利用我们的经验知识和专业知识来识别和讨论关键挑战,机遇,以及对青少年减害运动的建议,低收入和中等收入国家及其他国家的计划和实践,重点关注青年驱动的干预措施的必要性。在结束本评论时,我们呼吁采取行动,在全球南方地区内和整个地区减少YPWUD的伤害。