Welcome to the first ever Playbl newsletter, where we highlight behavioral health topics and challenges faced by young adults and evidence-based suggestions to help as you guide them towards living healthier lives. Critical and timely topics such as mental health, substance misuse, and sexual health will be addressed.

Please complete the survey at the bottom to tell us which topics we should focus on in future newsletters!

What is Harm Reduction? 

There may be times when we wonder why young people make impulsive, irrational, or dangerous choices that can cause them, or others around them, physical and/or emotional harm?  It’s obvious that young people differ from adults in the way they behave, solve problems, and make decisions.  A teen’s developing brain places them at greater risk of being reactive in their decision-making, and less able to consider the consequences of their choices. Therefore,  it is totally normal for young people to sometimes make questionable choices. 

Young people need tools to minimize behavioral harms until they are of an age when they are capable of making safer choices, especially around substance use. We need to ensure opportunities exist for engagement in addiction treatment when necessary.

These safety mechanisms are called Harm Reduction. Harm Reduction is a set of strategies that reduce the harms associated with the risks we take. Everyday we practice harm reduction techniques such as:

Wearing a seatbelt

Using smoke alarms and CO2 detectors in our homes

Washing our hands 

Walking on the sidewalk, not on the roadway 

Applying sunscreen

Using oven mitts when touching hot items

Wearing protective equipment when playing sports 

Harm reduction is critical for young people who may misuse substances to equip them with tools and information, and potentially save lives. 

When harm reduction tools are applied to those who misuse substances it is non-judgmental and non-coercive. Research shows that young people perceive harm reduction as helpful and practical. Many use these tools currently and can easily apply the strategies. Harm reduction strategies meet people where they are – on their own terms, and may serve as a pathway to additional health and social services, including additional prevention, treatment, and recovery services.  

Harm Reduction Tools for Youth Using Substances – Grab ‘n Go

The harm reduction tools below are a good start for conversations in schools or communities with youth:

Have a designated driver– This sober driver can ensure that peers and family members using substances get home safely.

Practice lower-risk drinking– Techniques include avoid mixing alcohol with other substances including cannabis or prescription medications; avoid higher strength alcoholic drinks and drinking games where too much can easily be consumed; setting limits on how much to drink; and eating food before and while consuming alcohol.

Do not combine substances– Combining substances is common and should be avoided. Drinking alcohol before cannabis use may diminish feelings of intoxication encouraging drinking more than usual. Remember that cannabis affects coordination and judgment, so driving or getting into a vehicle with a driver who has used it is dangerous. 

Encourage youth to never use alone– Taking turns while using substances means there is always someone available to call 911 if something goes wrong, such as an overdose. Have a trusted person who knows how to respond to an overdose with them.

If they do use alone, call Never Use Alone– This hotline can be reached at 1-877-696-1996. Operators will ask first name, location and number. If a caller stops responding after using, they will call EMS immediately.  No judgment, no shaming, no preaching.

Use the Brave app– Youth enter a Rescue Plan where they detail who to call if they become unresponsive to the caller. The Brave Supporter does not see any private/contact information unless the Rescue Plan is needed. 

Have naloxone available– Naloxone is a medicine that can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose providing time to get emergency medical attention by calling 911. It quickly restores normal breathing. Naloxone has no effect on someone who does not have opioids in their system so there is no harm. It is available as a nasal spray. Many states have free by mail programs, or coupons for purchase within local pharmacies. 

Utilize fentanyl test strips– Fentanyl test strips are non-prescription tools that can detect the presence of fentanyl in drugs. Availability varies by state with many states offering free by mail supplies.  Strips can also be ordered directly from online providers.

Educate youth on Good Samaritan Laws– Adolescents and young people may fear calling 911 for substance-related medical emergencies. Good Samaritan Laws protect the person experiencing the emergency and the caller.

People, especially young people, aren’t perfect but they deserve every opportunity to be as safe as possible. Harm reduction is common sense. It’s smart and it saves lives.

Prevention practitioners understand that a comprehensive approach to addressing substance misuse requires a combination of “downstream” harm reduction strategies (designed to prevent related consequences of substance misuse) and “upstream” prevention strategies (designed to reduce substance misuse in the first place). Persons serving youth can play an important role by linking these two approaches including introducing prevention programming like Playbl in their communities.

To learn more about the impact of addiction on youth, reach out to the team at Playbl.

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Playbl is a mission-driven organization focused on improving adolescent behavioral health. As a partner to the play2PREVENT Lab, we leverage the power of evidence-based video games to improve health outcomes for youth aged 10-20. Game topics include smoking & vaping, opioid misuse, mental health, and sexual health.

Click here to learn more about our games and find out how to bring them to your organization.