@judithyates.bsky.social
Retired UK GP and drug policy warrior.
Reposted
Exciting news that the Victoria (Australia not Canada) Pill Testing Service has opened! www.vicpilltesting.org.au Have done festivals and now a fixed-site. Fantastic to see a Melbourne service opening. Along with the amazing @cantestcbr.bsky.social hopefully more Aus sites to come.
Victorian Pill Testing Service | Confidential Drug Checking
The Victorian Pill Testing Service is a free, legal and confidential health service that aims to reduce drug-related harm through substance analysis and personalised harm reduction advice.
www.vicpilltesting.org.au
August 23, 2025 at 5:16 AM
Exciting news that the Victoria (Australia not Canada) Pill Testing Service has opened! www.vicpilltesting.org.au Have done festivals and now a fixed-site. Fantastic to see a Melbourne service opening. Along with the amazing @cantestcbr.bsky.social hopefully more Aus sites to come.
Reposted
We have launched Test & Know, our fundraising campaign to help us expand our testing across the UK. We are asking for a donation of £12 - the cost of testing one substance in our mobile labs.
wearetheloop.org/test-and-know
wearetheloop.org/test-and-know
July 22, 2025 at 8:33 AM
We have launched Test & Know, our fundraising campaign to help us expand our testing across the UK. We are asking for a donation of £12 - the cost of testing one substance in our mobile labs.
wearetheloop.org/test-and-know
wearetheloop.org/test-and-know
I was part of the similar “BuddyUp” scheme which grew out of the Canadian model and ran in the U.K. until April this year. I agree it was used by very different people from those who might go to a drug consumption space. Often very private rather techy people who had WiFi and private space to use.
The National Overdose Response Service "is like a buddy system — operators stay on the line as people use drugs, ready to alert emergency services if they suspect the person has overdosed"
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Bankers, athletes, students are using drugs. This hotline tries to keep them safe | CBC News
Since the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) launched nearly five years ago, it's been reaching drug users who wouldn't typically use consumption and treatment sites.
www.cbc.ca
June 29, 2025 at 8:59 AM
I was part of the similar “BuddyUp” scheme which grew out of the Canadian model and ran in the U.K. until April this year. I agree it was used by very different people from those who might go to a drug consumption space. Often very private rather techy people who had WiFi and private space to use.
Reposted
"San Francisco will no longer allow the distribution of safe drug use supplies, including sterile syringes and smoking kits, unless the outfits distributing the supplies offer counseling services or connect recipients to services, the Mayor’s Office announced on Wed"
missionlocal.org/2025/04/san-...
missionlocal.org/2025/04/san-...
San Francisco limits access to drug-use supplies: Will it help, or make things even worse?
The city will prohibit the distribution of safe drug use supplies, unless the outfits distributing them offer counseling services or connections to care.
missionlocal.org
April 3, 2025 at 6:27 PM
"San Francisco will no longer allow the distribution of safe drug use supplies, including sterile syringes and smoking kits, unless the outfits distributing the supplies offer counseling services or connect recipients to services, the Mayor’s Office announced on Wed"
missionlocal.org/2025/04/san-...
missionlocal.org/2025/04/san-...
Reposted
clearingtheair.eu/en/post/nico... “Nicotine is NOT carcinogenic & does not cause heart disease” states leading cardiologist
Prof. Reuven Zimlichman, Director of the Institute for Quality in Medicine at the Israeli Medical Association. Tabloid fear-mongering articles. In the UK causes more harm.
Prof. Reuven Zimlichman, Director of the Institute for Quality in Medicine at the Israeli Medical Association. Tabloid fear-mongering articles. In the UK causes more harm.
February 26, 2025 at 9:49 PM
clearingtheair.eu/en/post/nico... “Nicotine is NOT carcinogenic & does not cause heart disease” states leading cardiologist
Prof. Reuven Zimlichman, Director of the Institute for Quality in Medicine at the Israeli Medical Association. Tabloid fear-mongering articles. In the UK causes more harm.
Prof. Reuven Zimlichman, Director of the Institute for Quality in Medicine at the Israeli Medical Association. Tabloid fear-mongering articles. In the UK causes more harm.
Reposted
@clivebates.bsky.social wrote open letter to Dr Maxime Boidin, Manchester Metropolitan University, highlighting flagrant dishonesty of many tobacco harm reduction opponents ignoring basic principles of scientific decency. Highly recommend reading this
clivebates.com/papers-and-l...
clivebates.com/papers-and-l...
Irresponsible publicity related to an unpublished vaping study - The Counterfactual
I wrote to an academic at Manchester Metropolitan University, Dr Maxime Boidin, about generating irresponsible publicity based on false interpretations of unpublished data.
clivebates.com
February 28, 2025 at 7:54 AM
@clivebates.bsky.social wrote open letter to Dr Maxime Boidin, Manchester Metropolitan University, highlighting flagrant dishonesty of many tobacco harm reduction opponents ignoring basic principles of scientific decency. Highly recommend reading this
clivebates.com/papers-and-l...
clivebates.com/papers-and-l...
Reposted
Musk is the culmination of a slow-moving corporate coup by the oligarch class that has been decades in the making. But that doesn't change the fact that this marks a new and unspeakably dangerous chapter.
This is a hostile takeover of the federal government by a private citizen of unlimited means with no restrictions and no transparency. Welcome to the Deep State www.reuters.com/world/us/mus...
Exclusive: Musk aides lock government workers out of computer systems at US agency, sources say
Aides to Elon Musk charged with running the U.S. government human resources agency have locked career civil servants out of computer systems that contain the personal data of millions of federal employees, according to two agency officials.
www.reuters.com
January 31, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Musk is the culmination of a slow-moving corporate coup by the oligarch class that has been decades in the making. But that doesn't change the fact that this marks a new and unspeakably dangerous chapter.
Reposted
“We created a division between #harmreduction and #recovery but we are on the same damn team!
Without the safety of harm reduction people don't live to find recovery with today's toxic drug supply.”
@guyfelicella.bsky.social CIAJ conference.
#DrugSky
Without the safety of harm reduction people don't live to find recovery with today's toxic drug supply.”
@guyfelicella.bsky.social CIAJ conference.
#DrugSky
Look forward to hearing @guyfelicella.bsky.social as keynote speaker at Addiction Mental Health and the Law in Toronto.
ciaj-icaj.ca/en/
ciaj-icaj.ca/en/
February 3, 2025 at 3:06 PM
“We created a division between #harmreduction and #recovery but we are on the same damn team!
Without the safety of harm reduction people don't live to find recovery with today's toxic drug supply.”
@guyfelicella.bsky.social CIAJ conference.
#DrugSky
Without the safety of harm reduction people don't live to find recovery with today's toxic drug supply.”
@guyfelicella.bsky.social CIAJ conference.
#DrugSky
Reposted
Our new study found 44% of syringe services programs (SSPs) distributed safer smoking supplies in 2022. SSPs distributing supplies had more participant encounters and naloxone distribution. Safer smoking supplies are a key tool to connect people who use drugs to life-saving services.
Association of safer smoking supply distribution with participant encounters and naloxone distribution from syringe services programs: Findings from the National Survey of Syringe Services Programs in...
In response to the recent and growing shift from injecting heroin to smoking fentanyl, an increasing number of syringe services programs (SSPs) in the…
www.sciencedirect.com
January 25, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Our new study found 44% of syringe services programs (SSPs) distributed safer smoking supplies in 2022. SSPs distributing supplies had more participant encounters and naloxone distribution. Safer smoking supplies are a key tool to connect people who use drugs to life-saving services.
Reposted
US teen nicotine vaping dropped 70% over the past 5 years, to a 10-year low. Teen cigarette smoking "mysteriously" dropped 90%, to near zero, over the past decade. It's now at a 50-year low. Teen nicotine use is at an all-time low.
Why is moral panic over teen vaping at an all-time high?
Why is moral panic over teen vaping at an all-time high?
January 12, 2025 at 8:29 PM
US teen nicotine vaping dropped 70% over the past 5 years, to a 10-year low. Teen cigarette smoking "mysteriously" dropped 90%, to near zero, over the past decade. It's now at a 50-year low. Teen nicotine use is at an all-time low.
Why is moral panic over teen vaping at an all-time high?
Why is moral panic over teen vaping at an all-time high?
Reposted
Really important deabate James, I wrote a piece with Alex Aldridge - theconversation.com/drugs-resear...
January 13, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Really important deabate James, I wrote a piece with Alex Aldridge - theconversation.com/drugs-resear...
Reposted
It is hard to imagine a greater deterrent for seeking life saving care at a hospital for, say, an infection, than the possibility of being detained and shipped out to a jail cell in the name of “involuntary care.” Not to mention the deterrent to call 911 if someone you know is in medical distress.
January 12, 2025 at 10:42 PM
It is hard to imagine a greater deterrent for seeking life saving care at a hospital for, say, an infection, than the possibility of being detained and shipped out to a jail cell in the name of “involuntary care.” Not to mention the deterrent to call 911 if someone you know is in medical distress.
Reposted
Huge well done & thanks to everyone who has worked for over a decade to get here. I met Cllr Casey at a harm reduction conference really - such an inspiring team. Looking forward to working together to impact drug laws in the UK so more facilities can open & more lives can be saved. 💚
2/2
2/2
January 10, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Huge well done & thanks to everyone who has worked for over a decade to get here. I met Cllr Casey at a harm reduction conference really - such an inspiring team. Looking forward to working together to impact drug laws in the UK so more facilities can open & more lives can be saved. 💚
2/2
2/2
I keep being told Afghan heroin still available in UK, but looks like some people are dangerously experimenting with various nitazenes, just in case as threatened, a third Afghan harvest is missed this year, and heroin begins to get scarce.
Here are 3 worrying screen shots from WEDINOS website
Here are 3 worrying screen shots from WEDINOS website
January 9, 2025 at 6:42 PM
I keep being told Afghan heroin still available in UK, but looks like some people are dangerously experimenting with various nitazenes, just in case as threatened, a third Afghan harvest is missed this year, and heroin begins to get scarce.
Here are 3 worrying screen shots from WEDINOS website
Here are 3 worrying screen shots from WEDINOS website
Reposted
Reposted
I share our insights and learning from reviewing drug deaths in this blog from Pharmacy Together. We know the risks and need to share and inform folk to reduce drug harms. Pharmacy colleagues and beyond please use and share. @pharmacyinpractice.bsky.social
pharmacytogether.co.uk/reducing-ris...
pharmacytogether.co.uk/reducing-ris...
Reducing risk of drug related harm and overdose – Pharmacy Together
pharmacytogether.co.uk
January 7, 2025 at 9:19 PM
I share our insights and learning from reviewing drug deaths in this blog from Pharmacy Together. We know the risks and need to share and inform folk to reduce drug harms. Pharmacy colleagues and beyond please use and share. @pharmacyinpractice.bsky.social
pharmacytogether.co.uk/reducing-ris...
pharmacytogether.co.uk/reducing-ris...
Reposted
Most smokers realise that smoking could shorten their life but not the impact of each cigarette they smoke.
The price of a cigarette: 20 minutes of life: 17 for men and 22 for women.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The price of a cigarette: 20 minutes of life: 17 for men and 22 for women.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
January 3, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Most smokers realise that smoking could shorten their life but not the impact of each cigarette they smoke.
The price of a cigarette: 20 minutes of life: 17 for men and 22 for women.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
The price of a cigarette: 20 minutes of life: 17 for men and 22 for women.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted
UK’s first official Safer Drug Consumption Facility, ‘The Thistle’, to finally open in Glasgow on 13th January
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
UK's first drug consumption room to open this month in Glasgow
The facility will allow people to take illegal drugs under medical supervision.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 5, 2025 at 6:11 PM
UK’s first official Safer Drug Consumption Facility, ‘The Thistle’, to finally open in Glasgow on 13th January
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted
If you may be at risk of hepatitis C, you can now order a discreet at-home testing kit for free on the NHS.
Find out more here:
hepctest.nhs.uk/ref/ljw
#HepCantWait #GetTested #NoOneLeftBehind
Find out more here:
hepctest.nhs.uk/ref/ljw
#HepCantWait #GetTested #NoOneLeftBehind
January 3, 2025 at 3:01 PM
If you may be at risk of hepatitis C, you can now order a discreet at-home testing kit for free on the NHS.
Find out more here:
hepctest.nhs.uk/ref/ljw
#HepCantWait #GetTested #NoOneLeftBehind
Find out more here:
hepctest.nhs.uk/ref/ljw
#HepCantWait #GetTested #NoOneLeftBehind
Reposted
"UK's first drug consumption room to open in Glasgow" - Located on Hunter Street in the city’s east end, the facility – known as the Thistle – will open on January 13 and operate between 9am and 9pm, 365 days a year - www.itv.com/news/2025-01...
January 4, 2025 at 10:11 AM
"UK's first drug consumption room to open in Glasgow" - Located on Hunter Street in the city’s east end, the facility – known as the Thistle – will open on January 13 and operate between 9am and 9pm, 365 days a year - www.itv.com/news/2025-01...
Reposted
US Surgeon General warns alcohol is a "leading preventable cause of cancer," with risk of certain cancers increasing after one or fewer drinks per day
US Surgeon General sounds alarm about link between alcohol and cancer | CNN
The advisory “highlights alcohol use as a leading preventable cause of cancer in the United States, contributing to nearly 100,000 cancer cases and about 20,000 cancer deaths each year.”
www.cnn.com
January 3, 2025 at 1:07 PM
US Surgeon General warns alcohol is a "leading preventable cause of cancer," with risk of certain cancers increasing after one or fewer drinks per day
Reposted
I'm appealing to colleagues and the organisations I work with to stop using X/Twitter. The platform now extracts profit by promoting a racist who hates modern Britain, incites violence and is in continued contempt of court. Continuing to use X is not compatible with our values.
January 2, 2025 at 1:16 PM
I'm appealing to colleagues and the organisations I work with to stop using X/Twitter. The platform now extracts profit by promoting a racist who hates modern Britain, incites violence and is in continued contempt of court. Continuing to use X is not compatible with our values.
Reposted
The best thing about 2024?
#drugchecking went mainstream, including @theloopuk.bsky.social starting regular drug checking in the UK & The Loop AU starting regular drug checking in 3 Australian states.
Thanks, appreciation & admiration to the 1000s of Loop volunteers & supporters who contributed.
#drugchecking went mainstream, including @theloopuk.bsky.social starting regular drug checking in the UK & The Loop AU starting regular drug checking in 3 Australian states.
Thanks, appreciation & admiration to the 1000s of Loop volunteers & supporters who contributed.
January 1, 2025 at 9:23 AM
The best thing about 2024?
#drugchecking went mainstream, including @theloopuk.bsky.social starting regular drug checking in the UK & The Loop AU starting regular drug checking in 3 Australian states.
Thanks, appreciation & admiration to the 1000s of Loop volunteers & supporters who contributed.
#drugchecking went mainstream, including @theloopuk.bsky.social starting regular drug checking in the UK & The Loop AU starting regular drug checking in 3 Australian states.
Thanks, appreciation & admiration to the 1000s of Loop volunteers & supporters who contributed.