Like kids at site, the first thing to know about youth participants (12-18) is that most harm reduction workers are not mandatory reporters. This is not true of harm reduction workers who also happen to have certain kinds of licensure; however most people who work at harm reduction programs are not mandatory reporters, which allows them the discretion to not report if they see children in mandated reporting situations.

The knowledge that young people are using drugs would typically be such a situation. However, harm reduction organizations are not beholden to that standard. Instead, youth should absolutely be offered the most intensive services. Special referrals, education, and support should be offered to anyone under 18.

This very much includes drug education. These are the people that it is most critical to share information with around safer drug use so that they can set good habits as they move through their drug use and hopefully beyond.