Bristol will host the United Kingdom’s initial regular drug testing service from this month. The Loop, a harm-reduction charity administering the Home Office certified service, will offer drug tests and health advice. The service will also provide means for reducing drug-related medical incidents, overdoses, and hospitalizations. Working in partnership with the Bristol Drugs Project, the service will initially be available on the last weekend of each month on a free and confidential basis.
Before receiving a personalized harm-reduction consultation from health professionals, people will have to surrender a small quantity of the drug they require to be screened into an Amnesty bin at the BDP office in Bristol’s downtown. An hour later, labs will measure contents, strength, and if the drug is found to be dangerous, then local warnings will be issued, according to The BBC. The Loop has provided assurance that drug usage carries a risk, but that introducing free testing services in the UK is vital to minimize harm to individuals and, society at large.
Fiona Measham, founder, Chairperson of Trustees at The Loop, pointed out that, after 12 years of groundwork, evaluations, and negotiations, “It is fantastic news that The Loop can start the UK’s first regular drug checking service”. Measham added that this is a landmark moment for harm reduction, starting a new era for drug checking as more UK cities will follow suit.
CEO of the Night Time Industries Association, Michael Kill, called the impending testing service a “momentous milestone” in harm reduction, stating that the program will become a valuable source of information about the market for local drugs.
The service will go live on January 27th, 2022, at the Bristol Drugs Project HQ in St Paul’s Brunswick Square. For details and information on the drug testing service, visitors can learn more by visiting Bristol Drugs Project’s website
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