In my thesis, I researched the appropriateness of harm reduction programs for young and underage homeless drug users in Ljubljana. In Slovenia, we are facing an increase in the number of homeless youth, including minors. Among the homeless youth, there are many who have experience with drug use. Due to exclusion from various organizations or institutions, young people and minors have started turning to organizations that implement harm reduction programs. These programs face dilemmas in their work about which harm reduction services to offer to minors and how to help young people and minors when there are no suitable or specific services available for them. In my research, I was interested in the possibilities and barriers for these programs, which are in contact with young homeless people who actively use drugs, to actually meet their needs. I was also interested in what the needs of young people are, what types of help and support already exist in the field of harm reduction for them, and what ethical dilemmas and systemic gaps employees in harm reduction programs face when working with this population. I wanted to gain insight into what types of programs need to be planned and developed in this field to comprehensively respond to the needs of young people and minors. In the theoretical introduction, I presented the life situations of young and underage drug users with experience of homelessness. I described the concept of harm reduction as the basis of the working relationship with young and underage homeless drug users. I linked the concept to social work, which accepts drug use. I also focused on harm reduction programs and their services, among which I paid the most attention to accommodation support. The goal of the thesis was to open up space for reflection on the development of more successful practices in working with this population and on changes that would enable easier and better work for both employees in harm reduction programs and for young people and minors. I researched using a qualitative approach, during which I conducted interviews with four employees from organizations that implement harm reduction programs in Ljubljana. For this, I used a measurement instrument made up of interview guidelines based on research questions. I qualitatively analysed the obtained data and recorded the results. I found that young and underage homeless drug users mainly have needs for a trusted adult who is consistently present for them, for money, and for housing or accommodation. Regarding harm reduction programs in Ljubljana, I found that they provide various services, among which there is no possibility to ensure accommodation (with constant employee shifts) for young and underage homeless drug users. Accommodation is a specific service with which harm reduction programs could keep young and underage people in the program and begin working with them to resolve their entire life situation. It is important that accommodation starts to be implemented in these programs because young people do not want to return to other forms of housing, or they are poorly treated or excluded because of drug use. The ethical dilemma faced by employees in low-threshold programs in relation to underage homeless drug users is reporting their vulnerability. For harm reduction programs to better respond to the needs of young people and minors, they would need higher financial resources, more spaces, more employees, and non-stigmatizing external collaborators. In addition, harm reduction programs highlight the rigidity of the system, which limits them in their work with young and underage homeless drug users.
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