Influencing young people through their social networks (i.e. their peers) is an effective way to help prevent alcohol and other drug-related harms and achieve positive health outcomes.

AOD peer support activities can help to prevent or delay the start of alcohol and drug use, and reduce overall use.

As the risks attached to alcohol and other drugs escalate when use starts early, prevention interventions that delay it, even by a year, can reduce both short- and long-term harms.

Peer support activities can be successful, provided they are based on principles of effective practice. LDATs should be mindful that some peer support initiatives may lead to an increase in AOD use,^27,28 particularly if there are opportunities for unstructured socialising among program participants who have favourable attitudes towards alcohol and other drug use and may be a negative influence on their peers.^29,30