Substance use among adolescents and young adults is a growing public health concern in Southern Africa, with increasing rates of drug use among minors, including injection drug use. Minors who use drugs, particularly those who inject drugs, face increased risks of HIV, hepatitis C and other health harms. Despite evidence supporting harm reduction approaches, access to services such as needle and syringe programmes (NSPs) remains limited for minors in South Africa.
This policy brief, commissioned by NACOSA with funding from the Global Fund, and developed by
Students for Sensible Drug Policy International (SSDPI), examines the current legal and policy frameworks, the barriers they create and makes recommendations for policy reform. Expanding harm reduction services for minors would support prevention of avoidable health harms, improve access to care and strengthen protection of children’s rights.
