[HUSH Magazine] | Staying Safe With Drug Use

https://hushmagazine.jusnet.co.uk/2019/05/21/380/

So here at HUSH, we think that recreational drug use is up there with the TABOO-EST of topics. It’s more than likely that you’ve dabbled once or twice or you may even be a full-blown raver, but it’s not really something you can openly shout about.

We don’t dispute that drugs have a dark side and can be hugely destructive, so let’s be clear that we are not telling you to go out and try them if you haven’t before. But for those of you who dabble, we want you to dabble safely. When taking drugs recreationally, it’s important for you to know what you are doing, but more importantly, know what you’re taking.

A report from the NHS for drug-misuse in 2017 to 2018, revealed that there were 2,503 registered deaths due to poisoning through drug misuse, and 80pc of those deaths were accidental – and this is the problem.

We interviewed Matt Barnes and Guy Jones from “The Loop”, an organisation which specialises in drug safety testing and harm reduction services at festivals and events in the UK.

What is The Loop?

Matt: “The Loop works in full support of the police and is run solely by trained volunteers such as chemists and healthcare professionals. For ‘The Loop’ I am a lab volunteer, which involves testing the samples we receive using various methods and relaying the data we produce to our harm reduction team.”

Guy: “Without volunteers like Matt, The Loop wouldn’t exist. So, my role is to coordinate ‘The Loop’s’ lab and make sure that our volunteers all understand how they fit in to the team, how to use the equipment and to determine the best way to staff each event.”

What is The Loop’s stance on recreational drug use?

Matt: “We are non-judgemental when it comes to the advice and service we provide. Recreational drug use is illegal, but it’s naive to think that people do not still take them. Instead of blaming the user when they encounter harmful or even fatal effects, we try to educate and offer support and information regarding drug use to try to avoid such events happening in the first place.”

Do you think there needs to be more open conversations about drug use and how to stay safe?

Matt: “We believe knowledge is power when it comes to drug safety, the more a user knows about the drug they are taking and its effects/side effects, it will give them a better understanding on how to correctly dose the drug and the do’s and don’ts in terms of mixing substances. The main point is to make drug use safer and lower the risk of overdoses. The taboo which still lingers around talking openly about drug use is hindering this process.”

Do you have any advice you at “The Loop” you would like to give HUSH readers?

Matt: “Obviously the safest way to take drugs is to not take them at all. But here are some tips to help reduce harm.

“Start low, go slow; if you’re taking pills then start with a half or even a quarter if you’re smaller or less experienced, pill strength varies from batch to batch so something you’ve taken in the past may not be the same strength.

“Always wait at least an hour before you even thinking of taking any more so you can feel the full effects of the drug before making a decision to increase the effects.”

Guy: “There are lots of good online resources which cover risks and effects, my favourites are, RollSafe, Drugs and Me, Psychonaut Wiki, TripSit.Me and TripSafe.”

Why do you think “The Loop” is an important organisation to have available?

Guy: “The Loop’s services are unique in the UK because it allows someone to talk to a drugs expert when they collect their test results. This healthcare professional will be able to understand a person’s individual risk factors and tailor the advice they give so that the session has the biggest impact.”

What evidence is there to prove that testing drugs is making a difference to user’s safety?

Matt: “The Loop’s director, Fiona Measham, released the ​first peer-reviewed research on The Loop​ in November 2018. It shows a 95% reduction in drug-related hospital admissions at a festival with the service, and 1 in 5 substances being misrepresented. Also, 21% of Loop users gave up their drugs for destruction after being told that what they submitted was not what they expected the drug to be.”

Is there anything you would like to personally say on this topic?

Matt: “If anyone is having problems with drink or drugs then the best thing to do is get some help and talk to someone. Addiction or drug abuse are serious matters so always look out for one another and keep each other safe. Always practice safe sesh.”

Guy: “People really underestimate how much control they have over the risk of their drug use. I think a lot of people are constantly told “it’s dangerous” and they don’t realise that there is more to it than that. It’s always going to be dangerous but simple things like measuring your dose properly and knowing what drugs create unexpected danger when mixed is really valuable.”

We know that this has been a more serious topic for our HUSH readers. As much as we LOVE talking openly about Taboo topics, we also have a responsibility to keep you guys safe. So next time you take drugs recreationally, have fun but read up on this advice and do your research.