Harm Reduction: Psychedelic Support and Danger Prevention

With an upward trend in the number of people consuming drugs and the number of psychoactive drugs available, knowing, and avoiding the risks is a matter of urgency. Recreational drug-use has been ongoing throughout human history and is unavoidable. With prohibition placing the access of drugs in the hands of the black market, how can we as a society prevent dangers related to drug use? 

From welfare support for those experiencing “bad trips”, to services which test the purity of street drugs, what strategies do we have in place and what challenges do we face in developing harm-reduction services further? What is the link between recreational drug use and mental health issues and can the risks such as paranoia and psychosis be avoided? And finally, how can we start to move from a conversation of harm-reduction to maximising the benefits drug-induced experiences can offer?

Decoding things like the importance of set-and-setting, what it really means to be a “trip-sitter” and investigating dangerous drug interactions, this panel will explore current and future tactics to combat a global crisis of uncontrolled drug misuse. 

The panel will be in two-parts with pre-planned discussion topics followed by an audience Q&A. Date: 15th December (TBC), 7-9pm UK time.