In this episode Allison and Nigel talk about the equipment stocked by Needle and Syringe Programmes (NSPs) and how the range goes way beyond needles and syringes. They talk about finding the right needle for each injector and each injecting site, and the differences between pharmacy needle exchanges and fixed site NSPs. They also spend some time talking about the good, the bad and the ugly of NSP design and practice, and getting creative with mixed media messages.

If you are effected by any of the issues raised in this show please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com

In this episode Nigel and Allison are joined by Allan Clear of the Harm Reduction Coalition, based in New York City. Allan talks about the work of the Harm Reduction Coalition in New York and California, giving examples of creative and grass roots projects, and compares the picture in the US with that in the UK. Also ripe for discussion is the role of new media and traditional media in communicating with drug users to get harm reduction messages out there.

Nigel and Allison discuss the heroin drought which has affected the UK and Ireland since November 2011. The show covers the risks presented to users, the opportunities for change and what workers and agencies need to be doing.  This episode was recorded on January 31st. The heroin drought continues, quality is fluctuating and there have been a number of deaths reported believed to be related to heroin purity in Lancashire.

If you are effected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com

UPDATE: Turns out that we put the wrong interview up last time. Sorry about that. This is now the correct episode, a totally new one. More new Hooked will be back next week.

In this week’s episode, Andrew Preston talks to Hooked about Exchange Supplies, a social enterprise that brings innovative products to injecting drug users and drug workers. If you are effected by any of the issues raised in the Hooked podcast, please visit the Hooked section of our forum or injectingadvice.com.

With apologies for the lack of shows in the past few weeks, Hooked returns with another interview from the IHRA conference. Today, Nigel talks to Ray Stephens, about his work as a Senior Education & Training Officer at a project in Melbourne, Australia. Ray is a strong believer in using social media to engage drug users in conversations about harm reduction, and met Nigel using online social media and networking tools. Together, they talk about the future of harm reduction and how we engage with drug users.

In today’s episode, Nigel and Allison talk through some of the most difficult advice they have to give in their work with drug users. Ethics, skill levels and personal comfort all factor in deciding if, when and how you ought to say something. Discuss the stuff you find hard to say on our forums, and share advice with each other about how you do it comfortably and effectively. If you’re effected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com.

In today’s episode, Nigel and Allison have a NSFW (not safe for work) talk about contraception. They discuss the different choices available, via a potted history of contraception, kinky sex, what not to use as contraception and what to do if you want to get pregnant. Talking about sexual health and contraception is best done with honesty and humour, and so this show is somewhat rude and a smidgen crude and bundled with lots of laughs. Enjoy.

This week Allison and Nigel are joined by Andrew Preston of Exchange Supplies to talk about Harm Reduction Works, a campaign they developed for the National Treatment Agency. Andrew talks about the rationale behind Harm Reduction Works and discusses in detail each resource in the collection. All the resources are free to drug services and individuals in England and Wales and are incredibly valuable in delivering harm reduction messages to injecting drug users.

This week Allison and Nigel discuss the good, the bad and the ugly of tourniquets. They discuss whether you really need them, the law and the damage caused by incorrect use, and come to a conclusion about what’s the best and safest home made tourniquet.

In the second of our interviews from  the IHRA Conference 2010, Nigel talks to Meghan Ralston from Drug Policy Alliance. Beginning with a stark reminder that the number one cause of death of males aged 35-54 in the US is overdose, Meghan discusses her work in raising awareness of overdose, policy change and innovative action in the face of many barriers to harm reduction. See the forums at simplysydicated.com and injectingadvice.com for full show notes and links.

This week Nigel talks with Patrick Gallahue and Rick Lines from IHRA, the International Harm Reduction Association, at their 21st conference in Liverpool. Rick and Patrick talk about their recent work looking at the application of the death penalty for drug offences across the globe. You can find their report ‘The Death Penalty for Drug Offences: Global Overview 2010′ at http://www.ihra.net/may2010

Since we recorded this episode, three more cases of anthrax infection were confirmed. As of today, the updated anthrax figures are: Scotland 39 confirmed cases, 12 deaths, England 3 confirmed cases, 2 deaths,  and Germany one death.

If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com

Allison and Nigel talk about nicotine, one of the world’s most used drugs. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or http://www.injectingadvice.com.

In a particularly giddy and giggly episode, Nigel and Allison take a look at weird and unusual highs provided by nature. From strange fish to cucumbers to urine, via barks and food cupboard items. Bizarre, dangerous and hard to find, and that’s just the presenters. Allison and Nigel in no way condone the seeking and use of any of the substances discussed in the show. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com

In the last of Nigels’ series of interviews he talks to Rupert George from Talking Drugs. Talking Drugs is an online forum dedicated to the discussion of all things drugs, from experiences, local and global stories, to the debate around sensible drug policy. You can become involved yourself by contributing to the discussion or volunteering your language skills. If you are affected by any issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com

In the third of our series of interviews, Nigel talks to Harry Shapiro, Director of Communications and Information at Drugscope. DrugScope is the UK’s leading independent centre of expertise on drugs and the national membership organisation for the drug field. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or www.injectingadvice.com

The second of a series of interviews with people working within the drugs and harm reduction field in the UK. This week Nigel talks with Levent Akbulet, Director of Students For Sensible Drugs Policy, a grassroots international organisation of students who are concerned about the impact of drugs and who campaign for an end to the War On Drugs. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or www.injectingadvice.com

This week we begin a series of interviews with people working within the drugs and harm reduction field in the UK. To kick the series off, Nigel talks to Niamh Eastwood from Release, a charity that provides expertise on drugs, the law and human rights, and campaigns for fairer drug policies. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or www.injectingadvice.com

Have fun and stay safe people. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised by this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com.

This week Allison and Nigel talk about social networking and how it can help with harm reduction. If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com

This week Allison and Nigel talk all about rituals, from hand rolling cigarettes to preparing drugs for injection to brewing tea. They talk about how important and embedded rituals are in the drug experience, and discuss how drugs workers can co-opt the ritual behaviour and turn it into something safer for the user. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this show please visit the Hooked section of our forum or injectingadvice.com

The latest news on HIV and AIDS as we approach World AIDS Day on December 1st. Allison and Nigel go from sad to angry to impassioned to giggling hysterically to hopeful in the space of one show. Oh, and they’re pretty rude, because you just can’t talk about condoms and sex properly without a little smut. They’re wearing their red ribbons. Are you? If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com

This week Allison and Nigel pick apart the issue of sharing equipment and sharing drugs. They look at the routes of transmission for blood borne viruses like Hepatitis C and HIV and look at how to reduce those risks. If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this episode please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com

Nigel and Allison discuss the reasons why people inject into their groin (femoral vein), the many serious risks they face and which needle is the safest for this site. Groin injecting is extremely risky and damage is inevitable over time, so what can drugs workers do to help injectors slow that damage down? If you are effected by any of the issues raised in this episode please look at the Hooked section of our forums or visit injectingadvice.com

This week Nigel and Allison take a look at the different types of filters used in the preparation of street drugs and talk about how to use them more safely. If you have been effected by any of the issues raised in this episode please visit the Hooked section of our forums or injectingadvice.com