Before You Mix, Know the Risk

Preventing and Reducing Harms Associated with Polysubstance Use among Gender & Sexually Diverse Young Adults through Public Education

The Students Commission of Canada (SCC) was contracted by the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) to develop a series of public education products designed to support sexually and gender diverse young adults in making informed, evidence-based decisions when it comes to polysubstance use (using multiples substances in the same period). These products were informed by a literature review and public consultations.

Download and use the various products presented here to share this knowledge with youth and young adults across the country.

Key Considerations for this Project

This project centres on creating public health messaging around concurrent polysubstance use that is inclusive, affirming, and grounded in the lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ young adults. It also recognizes that young adults who identify as 2SLGBTQIA+ often face unique barriers, stigma, and health challenges, while not being an homogeneous group. As such, the key messages developed for this project were carefully tailored to align with the needs and experiences of three specific demographic groups:

Cisgender men who have sex with men (MSM): Acknowledging the health behaviours and risk factors unique to this group and addressing the specific challenges they encounter.
Trans and non-binary individuals: Recognizing the marginalization and systemic inequities they may face, with messaging that reflects their identities and promotes inclusivity.
2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults in rural or remote areas: Considering the additional challenges of geographic isolation, limited access to resources, and social support in remote areas.

These groups were selected due to their unique relationships to substance use and our existing connections that support meaningful engagement. Through ongoing consultation, we have tailored messages that are trauma-informed, non-stigmatizing, and relevant—supporting informed, harm-reduction-based decision-making within each community.

What are the products?

We developed a series of tailored public education tools, including:

Social media assets for each priority audience, featuring three unique harm reduction messages per group
Posters for each priority audience, featuring three unique harm reduction messages per group
An interactive zine offering practical tools and techniques for all audiences to support safe(r) partying

Each product is designed to be inclusive, engaging, and relevant to the lived experiences of 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults.

Social Media Assets

Join us and spread the word!

Use this toolkit to help share awareness, spark conversations, and support youth and young adults with practical information. Below, you will find the social media assets for each audience that you can download with accompanying captions.

To keep the campaign consistent and respectful of the youth and young adults' voices that shaped it, please do not change the wording of the key messages or captions.

Use the hashtag #BeforeYouMix and tag us so we can amplify your post and build momentum together!

Posters

If you prefer a tangible or display-friendly format, these posters are for you. They feature the same harm reduction messages from the social media campaign and can be printed for use in schools, clinics, community spaces, or Pride events.

Men Who Have Sex With Men

Transgender and Nonbinary Individuals

Rural and Remote 2SLGBTQIA+ Youth and Young Adults

Zine

This zine was created by and for 2SLGBTQIA+ youth and young adults as a creative, personal, and accessible way to share harm reduction messages. Zines are a popular and trusted format in queer communities, offering a mix of art, storytelling, and information. Print a copy for yourself or to distribute at events, clinics, and community spaces—or share digitally to spark conversations.

Resources

National Resources