Rapid Evidence Review of Harm Minimisation Strategies addressing illicit drug use with Select At-Risk Cohorts

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) commissioned Rural and Remote Health Northern Territory (NT) and the National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA) to undertake the NT Illicit Drugs Needs Review. This review comprised three deliverables:
1. Quantitative analysis of national datasets relating to NT illicit drug use and harms
2. Qualitative study of NT key stakeholder perspectives of illicit drug use and harms
3. Rapid review of evidence-based strategies to address illicit drug use-related harms among
three cohorts of interest identified in the first deliverable.

This rapid evidence review reports on harm minimisation strategies for the following three cohorts:
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
• Rural and remote people
• Young men (later broadened to young people due to an absence of studies specifically addressing young men)

The specific aims of this rapid evidence review were to:
1. Identify effective harm minimisation messages for the identified cohorts
2. Identify effective harm minimisation approaches for the identified cohorts
3. Based upon findings, present considerations and recommendations when designing / implementing messages and approaches for the identified cohorts.