IDPC/Youth RISE case study series - The impacts of drug policy on young people: Mauritius

Since the 1980s, Mauritius has experienced increasing levels of injecting drug use and has now one of highest per capita rates of illicit opiate use. Whilst Mauritius does have an established harm reduction response to drug use, young people who use drugs are denied access to these life-saving services and receive little support, leading to poor health outcomes and lost opportunities. Instead of supporting and protecting the health and well-being of young people who use drugs in Mauritius, drug policy has had a marginalising effect, both in the immediate and longer term.

This case study looks at these issues, presenting information drawn from surveillance data, policies and experiences of both local service providers and young people who use drugs themselves. In light of the challenges that young people face, this paper concludes with a series of recommendations for policy reform.

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