Welcome to the advocacy arm of Young People in Recovery. This is where awareness turns into action—and where every voice matters.
What is advocacy
Advocacy is the act of supporting, recommending, or speaking out on behalf of policies and practices that create a more just and supportive world for people in recovery. At YPR, advocacy includes:
- Championing harm reduction and recovery support policies
- Engaging with lawmakers and community leaders
- Educating the public on issues affecting young people in recovery
Why advocacy matters
Advocacy is essential because it:
- Changes policy: Laws shape access to recovery resources, harm reduction tools, housing, education, and jobs.
- Elevates lived experience: The voices of people in recovery can shift narratives and reduce stigma.
- Empowers communities: Through civic engagement, we help build resilient recovery ecosystems from the ground up.
Take Action on a national level
Get involved in ongoing campaigns:
California Residents - Take action
Get involved in ongoing campaigns:
Colorado Residents - Take action
Get involved in ongoing campaigns:
Advocacy in Action: Impact Highlights
Arapahoe County, CO – Good Samaritan Law Campaign
In partnership with local leaders, the Arapahoe chapter of YPR educated 192 community members across the county on the protections and importance of Colorado’s Good Samaritan Law. This campaign has:
- Increased overdose reporting confidence
- Connected communities with naloxone resources
- Inspired local engagement and media attention
National chapter highlights
- Louisville, KY – Mobilized a city-wide Day of Action for fentanyl testing strip access
- Lima, OH – Continues to educate the population in recovery on harm reduction and advocates for safer use and keeping people alive through Growbriety
Want to feature your chapter?
Share your chapters’ advocacy stories here to be featured on the advocacy hub.
What we know - clarifying facts & impacts
What's next - understanding the timeline & process
What can we do - mobilizing action & solutions
Learn more
Questions?
Have questions? Can’t find what you’re looking for?
Reach out to our Director of Advocacy at coreen.johnson@youngpeopleinrecovery.org for further assistance.