When it comes to youth substance use, prevention and harm reduction are sometimes viewed as opposing approaches. Prevention focuses on stopping substance use before it starts or delaying initiation, while harm reduction focuses on reducing negative consequences associated with substance use. Effective youth substance use prevention and harm reduction can work together to create safer, healthier communities and better outcomes for young people. Prevention and Harm Reduction: D

When parents think about protecting their children, they often think about seat belts, bike helmets, smoke detectors, or learning CPR. These safety measures do not encourage risky behavior—they prepare families to respond during an emergency. Naloxone belongs in that same category. As counterfeit pills containing fentanyl and other illicit opioids continue to increase across the country, youth overdose prevention has become an important part of community health. Parents, care