Drug checking.

Today.

Bristol.

#HarmReduction
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#HarmReduction pioneers!!

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Another #DrugAlert from @mandrakelab.bsky.social

#HarmReduction

#HarmReduction
#DrugAlert

They're back in action today, @theloopuk.bsky.social
& their monthly drug checking service in Bristol.
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#HarmReduction
#SizeMatters
#TimeToTest

UK Poised to Make the Mistake of Ramping Up Ketamine Criminalization The government is considering reclassifying it a Class A drug, with harsher penalties. Everything we know says this would be a bad move.

‘UK Poised to Make the Mistake of Ramping Up Ketamine Criminalisation’

“As both major parties compete to appear tougher on crime without considering evidence or consequences, UK drug policy is trapped in a pattern of penal populism.”

filtermag.org/uk-ketamine-...

Thorough assessment of 3’,4’-Methylenedioxy-α-pyrrolidinohexiophenone (MDPHP; ‘Monkey Dust’) and other synthetic cathinones under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971. Provides robust arguments for why reclassification to Class A was not recommended.

Synthetic cathinones: an updated harms assessment ACMD has written an updated harms assessment describing the use and harms of synthetic cathinones following a government commission.

JUST PUBLISHED: ACMD advice on synthetic cathinones www.gov.uk/government/p...

www.drugscience.org.uk/street-drug-...

Ticket booked. @drugscience.bsky.social webinars never disappoint. 👌

#HarmReduction
#CPD

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CITY CENTRE DRUG CHECKING SERVICES IN THE UK! We delivered 12 sessions & tested 238 different submissions from members of the public. Thank you to all those who have used the service & worked with us to help reduce harms over this past year. When do we operate? Every last Saturday of the month, 12-7pm. Next session 22nd February. Where? Bristol Drugs Project, 11 Brunswick Square, Bristol, BS2 8PE

WHY USE DRUG CHECKING? You can submit a substance of concern for testing by The Loop chemists You can have an open, honest & anonymous conversation with The Loop healthcare team about drugs & your wider health & wellbeing You can talk with a healthcare professional about your submission & the latest trends in the UK drugs market relevant to you Currently there are particular concerns about high strength opioids in circulation in the UK. When you visit The Loop drug checking service, you can get free naloxone & training in its use. Naloxone is a life saving medication which can reverse an opioid overdose.

FINDINGS FROM 2024 MDMA pill strength was high & highly variable, ranging from 85-315mg (~3x an average adult dose) Spice was identified in products packaged & sold as THC vapes We found consistently high strength cocaine & ketamine We tested a submission intentionally bought as, & confirmed by testing to be, a nitazene So far, xylazine has not been identified in any ketamine samples Several submissions bought and packaged as a specific benzodiazepine were found to contain a different type of benzodiazepine.

SUBSTANCES TESTED MDMA Spice Oxycodone Heroin THC Trenbolone Enanthate Benzodiazepines Cocaine Caffeine Ketamine 2C-B Amphetamine MDAI Mephedrone Paracetamol Methamphetamine DMT Noscapine 4-AcO-DMT 6-APB 4-AcO-MET LSD Mescaline Analogue Nitazene Phenacetin MXE Cathinone Pregabalin TFMPP No active component

The Loop has delivered our first year of regular city centre drug checking. We are planning, as we look ahead to 2025, to build upon and expand this valuable harm reduction intervention across the United Kingdom. Drug checking becomes ever more important as the UK drugs market changes and evolves.

RIP Twitter. That salute = final nail.

Placing energy, enthusiasm & focus in a more healthy environment & community @bsky.app

Please follow/recommend sites as I seek to build connections here in/on:

#HarmReduction
#PSHE
#schools
#drugs
#alcohol
#DrugTesting
#DrugEducation
#DrugPolicy
#evidence

Planning on using drugs? Read up on key harm reduction information here!

❄️Look out for mates
❄️Research what you're taking
❄️Be aware of interactions & avoid mixing
❄️Go slow stay low
❄️Avoid sharing equipment
❄️Pace yourself on your own terms
❄️Know the signs of emergency
❄️Test your drugs

@drugpolicy.org

Are the pins available for purchase? Thanks.

More #HarmReduction wisdom & sound advice from @theloopuk.bsky.social

Follow them twice; their advice & their socials - Insta & Twitter.

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Concern grows around increasing & variable strength of #MDMA #ecstasy.

Info & data from the brilliant @theloopuk.bsky.social following their testing of Es in ‘24 & most definitely included in my other drugs lessons.

#TimeToTest
#JustSayKnow
#TakeQuarterSipWater

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100% recommend training by @theloopuk.bsky.social

Inclusive & welcoming online environment, detailed & interesting content & engaging & friendly trainers.
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So, further to my 1st @bsky.app post, couldn't help a wry smile adding Drumsheds to my PowerPoint dictionary when spell checking a bespoke lesson to 6th Formers (delivered today).

Wore my @theloopuk.bsky.social & Everpress #JustSayKnow T-shirt too!

@drumsheds.bsky.social

#HarmReduction
#DrugsEd

County Lines becoming more localised County Lines are changing to become more localised, reveals new County Lines Strategic Threat Risk Assessment.

Useful update from the NCA on 'county lines'. It notes that activity is becoming more localised, which leads to the question, when do 'county lines' stop being 'county lines'. Again, despite some public/media speculation, drugs involved predominately crack/heroin news.npcc.police.uk/releases/cou...

Drumsheds and Warehouse Project bring in drug testing The venues, in Manchester and London, invite charity The Loop to test drugs behind the scenes.

My 1st Bluesky post & delighted by the timing.

The Loop granted 1st Home Office licence to carry out year-round in-house rapid drug testing at 2 of the UK’s biggest clubs, Drumsheds & The Warehouse Project.
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#HarmReduction
#TimeToTest
#JustSayKnow

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...