Mat Southwell
@matsouthwell.bsky.social
Technical advisor, drug user advocate and human rights activist working on harm reduction, drug treatment and community mobilisation with people who use drugs.
Thanks to Exchange Supplies for getting me samples of different crack pipes to take to @inhsu.bsky.social to run a workshop called Pins, Pipes and Paraphernalia. Co-facilitating with Susie McLean.
October 8, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Thanks to Exchange Supplies for getting me samples of different crack pipes to take to @inhsu.bsky.social to run a workshop called Pins, Pipes and Paraphernalia. Co-facilitating with Susie McLean.
The other speakers were from the local drug treatment system, a business leader talking about engaging people with drug dependence in the workforce as employees with resilience who have come through struggles, and an employment lawyer discussing managing problem substance use issues in the workforce
October 1, 2025 at 9:02 AM
The other speakers were from the local drug treatment system, a business leader talking about engaging people with drug dependence in the workforce as employees with resilience who have come through struggles, and an employment lawyer discussing managing problem substance use issues in the workforce
Any amazing morning of speakers in Bergen Norway. Introduction from the Mayor. Marianne the inspirational leader of the Huset Bergen community-led cooperative. Other speakers included Morton and amazing war photographer who found his own healing beautifully photographing people who use drugs.
October 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
Any amazing morning of speakers in Bergen Norway. Introduction from the Mayor. Marianne the inspirational leader of the Huset Bergen community-led cooperative. Other speakers included Morton and amazing war photographer who found his own healing beautifully photographing people who use drugs.
Privileged to be invited to speak at the Norwegian conference called Future Proof. Organised by the 3 drug user networks in Norway. The conference will be opened by the Mayor of Bergen and includes business and community leaders.
October 1, 2025 at 7:58 AM
Privileged to be invited to speak at the Norwegian conference called Future Proof. Organised by the 3 drug user networks in Norway. The conference will be opened by the Mayor of Bergen and includes business and community leaders.
Very sorry to hear about the loss on Tino Fuentes. Tino was a US drug user activist and harm reduction pioneer who drove the use of synthetic opioid test strips. He was also a passionate and infectiously dynamic person. Sending love and solidarity to our US community.
July 22, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Very sorry to hear about the loss on Tino Fuentes. Tino was a US drug user activist and harm reduction pioneer who drove the use of synthetic opioid test strips. He was also a passionate and infectiously dynamic person. Sending love and solidarity to our US community.
Another important day in the global calendar for people who use drugs. Remembering all our community members who have died during the war on drugs.
July 21, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Another important day in the global calendar for people who use drugs. Remembering all our community members who have died during the war on drugs.
Looking forward to recording a podcast this afternoon with Leon Eckford and Rhett Nicholl from St Mungo's podcast. We will be talking about harm reduction, particularly from a community-led perspective.
July 18, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Looking forward to recording a podcast this afternoon with Leon Eckford and Rhett Nicholl from St Mungo's podcast. We will be talking about harm reduction, particularly from a community-led perspective.
Contributing to Global Commission on Drug Policy meeting in London this afternoon looking at UK Drug Policy - opportunities and challenges. Shared this article to introduce my position.
June 30, 2025 at 7:52 AM
Contributing to Global Commission on Drug Policy meeting in London this afternoon looking at UK Drug Policy - opportunities and challenges. Shared this article to introduce my position.
Attended WHO Forum on Alcohol Drugs & Addicted Behaviour. Anton Basenko INPUD described devastating US international aid cuts on organisations of people who use drugs. UNODC 2025 World Drugs Report shows that drugs out of control. Taliban crop destruction now impacting supply. Deadly times ahead.
June 27, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Attended WHO Forum on Alcohol Drugs & Addicted Behaviour. Anton Basenko INPUD described devastating US international aid cuts on organisations of people who use drugs. UNODC 2025 World Drugs Report shows that drugs out of control. Taliban crop destruction now impacting supply. Deadly times ahead.
Thank you Faculty of Public Health for acknowledging my outsider engagement in public health on drugs, HIV and hepatitis.
June 25, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Thank you Faculty of Public Health for acknowledging my outsider engagement in public health on drugs, HIV and hepatitis.
Dusting of the old whistle for a trip to London. Attending Award Ceremony for Faculty for Public Health. I am being given Honorary Membership of FPH for my contribution to public health of people who use drugs. Thanks to Dr Adam Holland and Professor Matt Hickman for the nomination.
June 23, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Dusting of the old whistle for a trip to London. Attending Award Ceremony for Faculty for Public Health. I am being given Honorary Membership of FPH for my contribution to public health of people who use drugs. Thanks to Dr Adam Holland and Professor Matt Hickman for the nomination.
Packed up ready to leave Gombe for Abuja. Successful mission focussed on a co-production with DAPHO Outreach Team to deliver peer education messages in support of Unitaid funded low dead space syringes and needles (LDSS/N) study.
Coact will share social media from mission next week.
Coact will share social media from mission next week.
June 21, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Packed up ready to leave Gombe for Abuja. Successful mission focussed on a co-production with DAPHO Outreach Team to deliver peer education messages in support of Unitaid funded low dead space syringes and needles (LDSS/N) study.
Coact will share social media from mission next week.
Coact will share social media from mission next week.
Chris Rintoul describes interesting Cranstoun initiative to develop wearable overdose prevention device that helps hostel staff support their residents who use depressant drugs. Monitors heart rate, movement, oxygen levels etc.
June 12, 2025 at 10:17 AM
Chris Rintoul describes interesting Cranstoun initiative to develop wearable overdose prevention device that helps hostel staff support their residents who use depressant drugs. Monitors heart rate, movement, oxygen levels etc.
The remarkable Senator Lynn Luane from Dublin cuts through to the heart of the issue highlighting how drug control is an extension of the colonial repression of poor people in working class estates.
June 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM
The remarkable Senator Lynn Luane from Dublin cuts through to the heart of the issue highlighting how drug control is an extension of the colonial repression of poor people in working class estates.
Julie Hannah from International Centre for Human Rights and Drug Policy talks about the UN backed International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy. Restatement of core human rights but focussed on drug policy.
June 12, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Julie Hannah from International Centre for Human Rights and Drug Policy talks about the UN backed International Guidelines on Human Rights and Drug Policy. Restatement of core human rights but focussed on drug policy.
Zaved Mahmood Drug Policy Lead for UN Office of Human Rights Commissioner speaks at the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy Conference. Drug control drives human rights violations across the world in multiple domains.
June 12, 2025 at 8:42 AM
Zaved Mahmood Drug Policy Lead for UN Office of Human Rights Commissioner speaks at the International Society for the Study of Drug Policy Conference. Drug control drives human rights violations across the world in multiple domains.
A sad loss of a committed harm reduction and drug user activist, a proud father and a friend. Glad to have been your friend. RIP Peter Krykant!
June 12, 2025 at 6:27 AM
A sad loss of a committed harm reduction and drug user activist, a proud father and a friend. Glad to have been your friend. RIP Peter Krykant!
Early departure from Bath to London Heathrow Airport. Heading to Cairo to take part in training on long acting depot buprenophine. Then onto Nigeria next week to take part in low dead space needle and syringe reflective learning workshop in Gombe State
April 6, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Early departure from Bath to London Heathrow Airport. Heading to Cairo to take part in training on long acting depot buprenophine. Then onto Nigeria next week to take part in low dead space needle and syringe reflective learning workshop in Gombe State
Nitrazenes in Europe. Learning from our local experience to draw out lessons of relevance for a European audience.
April 3, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Nitrazenes in Europe. Learning from our local experience to draw out lessons of relevance for a European audience.
Crack cocaine training from late 1990s / early 2000s. Championing harm reduction and self-control. So “back in the day” that these are acetates!! Course called Between A Rock and A Hard Place!
April 1, 2025 at 1:25 PM
Crack cocaine training from late 1990s / early 2000s. Championing harm reduction and self-control. So “back in the day” that these are acetates!! Course called Between A Rock and A Hard Place!
Surge of fake accounts trying to connect mostly “young women”. There seems no process of blocking or reporting these accounts. Maybe not needed as Bluesky is active at removing accounts.
April 1, 2025 at 6:23 AM
Surge of fake accounts trying to connect mostly “young women”. There seems no process of blocking or reporting these accounts. Maybe not needed as Bluesky is active at removing accounts.
Nitazenes reflections
The Bath P2PNSP ensured that a contaminated batch was tested and warnings sent out 3-4 days after it arrived on the drug scene. However, deaths were only avoided because it wasn’t a killer cut. Drug checking needs to stop contaminated supplies hitting the market.
The Bath P2PNSP ensured that a contaminated batch was tested and warnings sent out 3-4 days after it arrived on the drug scene. However, deaths were only avoided because it wasn’t a killer cut. Drug checking needs to stop contaminated supplies hitting the market.
March 26, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Nitazenes reflections
The Bath P2PNSP ensured that a contaminated batch was tested and warnings sent out 3-4 days after it arrived on the drug scene. However, deaths were only avoided because it wasn’t a killer cut. Drug checking needs to stop contaminated supplies hitting the market.
The Bath P2PNSP ensured that a contaminated batch was tested and warnings sent out 3-4 days after it arrived on the drug scene. However, deaths were only avoided because it wasn’t a killer cut. Drug checking needs to stop contaminated supplies hitting the market.
Nitazene reflections -
Harm reduction advice should offer a hierarchy of harm reduction options that help peers do the best they can in their circumstances. It is best to avoid simple negative warnings.
Harm reduction advice should offer a hierarchy of harm reduction options that help peers do the best they can in their circumstances. It is best to avoid simple negative warnings.
March 26, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Nitazene reflections -
Harm reduction advice should offer a hierarchy of harm reduction options that help peers do the best they can in their circumstances. It is best to avoid simple negative warnings.
Harm reduction advice should offer a hierarchy of harm reduction options that help peers do the best they can in their circumstances. It is best to avoid simple negative warnings.
Nitazenes reflections - warnings
Risk that warnings of strong drugs become unintended adverts for risky batches. Tailored and tested harm reduction messages needed. Focus on unpleasant effect, risk of increasing habit, need to redose every 4 hours = more work, greater risk, less return.
Risk that warnings of strong drugs become unintended adverts for risky batches. Tailored and tested harm reduction messages needed. Focus on unpleasant effect, risk of increasing habit, need to redose every 4 hours = more work, greater risk, less return.
March 26, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Nitazenes reflections - warnings
Risk that warnings of strong drugs become unintended adverts for risky batches. Tailored and tested harm reduction messages needed. Focus on unpleasant effect, risk of increasing habit, need to redose every 4 hours = more work, greater risk, less return.
Risk that warnings of strong drugs become unintended adverts for risky batches. Tailored and tested harm reduction messages needed. Focus on unpleasant effect, risk of increasing habit, need to redose every 4 hours = more work, greater risk, less return.
Nitazene reflections - test strips
5. A QR code is provided to report results on packet. inaccessible if no smart phone. The QR codes links to inaccessible US websites.
6. Local service gives out test strips in envelopes with number to report positive test results.
5. A QR code is provided to report results on packet. inaccessible if no smart phone. The QR codes links to inaccessible US websites.
6. Local service gives out test strips in envelopes with number to report positive test results.
March 26, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Nitazene reflections - test strips
5. A QR code is provided to report results on packet. inaccessible if no smart phone. The QR codes links to inaccessible US websites.
6. Local service gives out test strips in envelopes with number to report positive test results.
5. A QR code is provided to report results on packet. inaccessible if no smart phone. The QR codes links to inaccessible US websites.
6. Local service gives out test strips in envelopes with number to report positive test results.