Without seeking the voices of marginalised & disadvantaged young people, prevention and early intervention programs can perpetuate structural inequities and contribute to poor health outcomes among young people
Youth Solutions, a non-profit AOD youth service operating in south-western Sydney, embeds research into practice, to ensure that all strategies to improve the health literacy of young people is evidence-informed and responsive to the emerging harms experienced by young people, and their context/situations.
Recently completed qualitative research with young people in contact with the justice system in NSW & young people in treatment for AOD issues, has guided strategic approach at Youth Solutions. Findings relate to the key factors which keep young people engaged in AOD treatment (from their own perspectives), and the structural inequalities that the AOD sector must address to improve health literacy for young people.