Employing people who use drugs at Exchange Supplies. Interview with the wonderful Andrew Preston
30.10.2025 16:05
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Employing people who use drugs at Exchange Supplies. Interview with the wonderful Andrew Preston
Number of peers will be doing a show and tell about their choices around harm reduction materials and what informs them. I’m going to talk about the evolution of the SIPP pipe based on peer feedback. Still few more slots for peer shower and tellers if you will be at INHSU!
Thanks to Exchange Supplies for getting me samples of different crack pipes to take to @inhsu.bsky.social to run a workshop called Pins, Pipes and Paraphernalia. Co-facilitating with Susie McLean.
The other speakers were from the local drug treatment system, a business leader talking about engaging people with drug dependence in the workforce as employees with resilience who have come through struggles, and an employment lawyer discussing managing problem substance use issues in the workforce
Any amazing morning of speakers in Bergen Norway. Introduction from the Mayor. Marianne the inspirational leader of the Huset Bergen community-led cooperative. Other speakers included Morton and amazing war photographer who found his own healing beautifully photographing people who use drugs.
I will also document the Huset Bergen model in a technical case study with Coact (see fundraiser).
The Huset Bergen model is a community-led low threshold agency that also includes a high tolerance night shelter. I am here to provide an international perspective on the role of drug user organising in drug policy reform.
Privileged to be invited to speak at the Norwegian conference called Future Proof. Organised by the 3 drug user networks in Norway. The conference will be opened by the Mayor of Bergen and includes business and community leaders.
Help us raising funds for people who use drugs! Crowdfunding project between Drug Science and Coact to raise the costs of desktop publishing and video promotion of innovative community led housing project in Norway. Help us share learning about an alternative to street based drug use. Target: £10000
The good people at the community-led Hepatitis C Trust in the UK are looking for a female harm reduction coordinator in my old stomping grounds of Hackney in East London. Exciting chance to contribute to the elimination of HCV among people who use drugs.
The only friend requests I get are fake young women accounts. Fair play they’re quickly banned but still lack of contact unless you happen to be online at the same time makes account building impossible.
I’m disappointed by BlueSky. I was looking for a new home after Twitter but not sure this is it. The lack of algorithms means there is no interaction with global community in different timezones. We need good algorithms that foster dialogue and collaboration.
Very sorry to hear about the loss on Tino Fuentes. Tino was a US drug user activist and harm reduction pioneer who drove the use of synthetic opioid test strips. He was also a passionate and infectiously dynamic person. Sending love and solidarity to our US community.
Sending you international solidarity
Another important day in the global calendar for people who use drugs. Remembering all our community members who have died during the war on drugs.
Very happy with podcast on harm reduction and letting communities lead. Anew podcast to explore harm reduction, community organising and to help in the growing conversation about the development of UK drug services. open.spotify.com/episode/0fSR...
Leon guided a really thoughtful and interesting discussion about harm reduction and community. The podcast should be out by 25.7 on Spotify.
Just listened to the cut of the podcast. Leon Eckford is someone originally from Edinburgh with lived experience of drug use. Leon experienced the period when Edinburgh was infamously described as the “AIDS capital of Europe”.
Looking forward to recording a podcast this afternoon with Leon Eckford and Rhett Nicholl from St Mungo's podcast. We will be talking about harm reduction, particularly from a community-led perspective.
Chatham House event on Global Drug Policy: Former Presidents Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico and Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, and former High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, outline how multilateral cooperation and policy change can reverse global drug trends. Worth a watch or listen!
Here’s a link to the article as requested www.academia.edu/66375276/The...
Contributing to Global Commission on Drug Policy meeting in London this afternoon looking at UK Drug Policy - opportunities and challenges. Shared this article to introduce my position.
I worry so!
Thanks for your advocacy Zoe.
Attended WHO Forum on Alcohol Drugs & Addicted Behaviour. Anton Basenko INPUD described devastating US international aid cuts on organisations of people who use drugs. UNODC 2025 World Drugs Report shows that drugs out of control. Taliban crop destruction now impacting supply. Deadly times ahead.
Thank you Faculty of Public Health for acknowledging my outsider engagement in public health on drugs, HIV and hepatitis.
Good article from @mikejay.bsky.social for Transform. Coact is developing a new one-day catalytic training and planning event with a UK drug service. Chance to review and strengthen their response to ketamine and care pathways for those struggling with ketamine. transformdrugs.org/blog/how-bri...
Miraculix need to see that the harm reduction community backs grassroots harm reduction. If you can afford even a $5 or $10 donation it will be an important sign of community backing. If you can afford a bit more then this is a grassroots harm reduction cause worth backing.
Emanuel and Mathew have been collaborating on new testing technology empowering peers to test their drugs at home with an affordable community product. They also foster peer initiatives. Community not profit should drive harm reduction.