Understanding the needs of local youth to inform drug and alcohol prevention and harm reduction services: A qualitative study.

Drug and alcohol education strategies must be more explicit regarding harm across all drug types, regardless of legal status or perceived social acceptability. Prevention services would benefit from including lived realities from young people's varied and changing experiences with using substances. Peer involvement in the design of preventive strategies (and involvement in participatory research to identify felt needs) is paramount to ensure teachings are grounded in a young person's social context and lived realities. SO WHAT?: This study provides information to guide the development of appropriate and authentic drug and alcohol prevention and harm reduction services for young people.