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Evolving Harm Reduction Through On-line Peer Education

Evolving Harm Reduction Through On-line Peer Education. John Campbell. Overview. Changes in recreational drug use The internet and forums as a source of information Opportunities for engagement How it could work in practice. Recreational drug use - It use to be so simple.

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Evolving Harm Reduction Through On-line Peer Education

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  1. Evolving Harm Reduction Through On-line Peer Education John Campbell

  2. Overview • Changes in recreational drug use • The internet and forums as a source of information • Opportunities for engagement • How it could work in practice

  3. Recreational drug use - It use to be so simple • Early 90’s = E, acid, speed and jellies (poppers) • Mid 90’s =E, acid, speed, alcohol (heroin?) • Late 90’s = cocaine, alcohol, E and blues • Mid 00’s = cocaine, alcohol, E, blues and legals • 2010 = Cocaine, alcohol, E, blues, advanced legals and research chemicals

  4. The Internet - a source for…. • Buying drugs • Selling drugs • Researching drugs • Discussing effects and sharing experiences different people want different things

  5. The vendor wants to know • What will sell • What is profitable • How available it is • What form to bring to market

  6. The user wants to know • What’s available • What it costs • How and how much to take • What to expect • Interactions How will they get this information?

  7. Forums “an information hub of high standards and a platform where people can freely discuss recreational drugs in a mature manner” Drugs Forum www.drugsforum.com www.partyvibe.com www.bluelight.ru Additional sites for PIEDs

  8. Forum terminology • RC = research chemical • LH = legal high • IL = illegal legal • Bomb = swallow in a cigarette paper • Bump = small pile for snorting • Plug = rectal administration • Rail = intravenous injection • SWIM = someone who isn't me • AFOAF = a friend of a friend • TR = trip report

  9. Examples of discussions relating to 6-APB (Benzo Fury)

  10. Call for help

  11. Good advice?

  12. “Pill Reports” accessed via Bluelight

  13. Lothian Cluster – DF Provided link to story “Well, severe nausea, vomiting, anxiety and hallucinations, this does really fit with mdpv” “The third version of ivorywave (red packaging) seems to be even more of a problem than the previous ones” “It will be interesting to know if this is caused by MDPV” “MDPV must still be the most likely culprit”

  14. Forum issues and considerations • Normalises risky drug taking • Not all advice given is good • Encourages experimentation • Gives a false sense of security • No guarantee forum members are of age

  15. Are we missing an opportunity? • A massive group of current users • Prepared to share experiences and knowledge • Opportunity to skill the workforce • A chance to share harm reduction information

  16. Ivory wave scenario Health Police, government

  17. What would have happened if we had used this model when we had the outbreak of anthrax? • Why do you think this is happening? • Any change in cutting agents? • Realistic alternatives to injecting? • Review of information materials • Online dissemination of materials

  18. Final thought Facebook was launched in February 2004 it now has more than 500 million active users

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