Youth voices: Stories of safety, struggle, and support

Stories connect more than statistics ever will: 

• At a party, my friend was too drunk to stand. We stayed with her, called her mom, and she was okay. I realized that watching out to each other matters. 

• I bought a pill thinking it was Xanax, but I tested it first - it had fentanyl. That test strip saved my life. 

• I started journaling when I felt stressed instead of smoking weed. It doesn’t solve everything, but it helps me feel clearer. 

Why should you share stories?

• They make harm reduction real. 

• They remind you you’re not alone. 

• They prove small actions make a difference through lived experience. 

Sharing experiences builds community and saves lives.