***This was originally recorded as a webinar on Monday 20th October 2025***Our 5th webinar within our Manifesto Sessions webinar series focused on trauma informed practice. As part of our ‘Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances’, we want all substance use services in Wales to be underpinned by a trauma-informed approach. Research from Public Health Wales (PHW) in 2015 found that 47% of adults in Wales have suffered at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE). And there are many other adversities that people can experience during their lives including racism, discrimination, and structural inequalities. Therefore, we all need to understand and talk about ACEs and trauma.Subsequently, given the widespread occurrences of trauma and the respective impacts it can have on individuals, it is vital that an approach underpins the delivery of services allowing for opportunities and paths for healing and overcoming such experiences, while not retraumatising via behaviours and interactions, and consequently promoting positive life chances for people.Our speakers were:Sarah Walsh (CAVDAS)Rachel Wilson (DDAS/ Choices West)Emma Howells (Choices West)
Rob and Jamie discuss the recently published drug-related death statistics for England and Wales, that were released on Friday 17th October 2025. Across the two nations, the figure hit records levels again for the 12th consecutive year in a row, while in Wales, fatalities associated to substance use are at their highest levels too. We discuss why this is and what can be done to halt this rise.
Key figures from the data:
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.
In this episode, we are joined by Meg Jones, Director of New Business and Services at Cranstoun. Meg boasts a wealth of experience and expertise within policing, policy, and social justice and was previously Head of Policy for West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. Meg discusses all things Drugbot, a new AI harm reduction initiative launched by Cranstoun.
Meg explains what Drugbot is and what led to its development as well as what people can expect from this new service. We also discuss the challenges people have faced in accessing evidenced-based, factual information regarding substance use and how digital innovation is playing a critical role in filling in the gaps. You can check out Drugbot by clicking here.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.
*This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on the 25th September 2025*
The fourth webinar of The Manifesto Sessions, discusses safer inhalation devices (SIDs), often referred to as crack pipes.
As part of our ‘Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances’, we want ‘to be able to give out safer inhalation devices to people who use crack cocaine via needle and syringe programmes’. Currently, drug treatment services across the UK are prohibited from providing SIDs to people who use crack cocaine, under the Misuse of Drugs Act (MDA) 1971, section 9A, However, there has been a significant rise in both people reporting crack cocaine, and cocaine related deaths.
In this episode, we are joined by Professor Rick Lines, (Head of Substance Misuse and Vulnerable Populations for Public Health Wales) and Mat Southwell (Managing and Technical Director of Coact Technical Support).
The Manifesto Sessions is a series of ten webinars, with each webinar focusing on a specific “ask” with Barod's 'Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances'. For more information about this webinar series, including future sessions, please click here.
We are joined by Mike, a door supervisor at the Live Lounge in Cardiff, and Anna, the Young Persons Service Manager at Cardiff and the Vale Drug and Alcohol Service (CAVDAS). Mike discusses his experiences of working on the doors at one of Cardiff's busiest night clubs while Anna, sheds light of CAVDAS' harm reduction work in the night time economy.
We also discuss ways in which establishments like night clubs, ensure people are kept as safe as possible, including implementing national safety initiatives such as Ask for Angela and the Angel Shot. Additionally, Anna talks us through the plans to try and move Cardiff from a zero tolerance to substance use city, to a harm reduction one.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.
*This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on the 1st September 2025*
The third webinar of The Manifesto Sessions, discusses the Drug Overdose Good Samaritan Act. Such legislation has been implemented across Canada, and in many states in the US, and can provide legal protection for individuals who experience or witness a suspected drug-related overdose. In this episode, we are joined by Peredur Owen Griffiths, a Plaid Cymru Member of the Senedd and Cory Ranger, Director of Harm Reduction Nurses Association in Canada
The Manifesto Sessions is a series of ten webinars, with each webinar focusing on a specific “ask” with Barod's 'Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances'. For more information about this webinar series, including future sessions, please click here.
In this episode, we are joined by Louise Herzog from The Menopause PT and founder of the South Wales Menopause Community (SWMC), discussing her experience of the peri and menopause and how it affected her relationship with alcohol. Louise also discussed her own experience of accessing services, and how things need to be adapted within substance use services, to better support women experiencing the peri and menopause.
Louise talks about her 'side hustle' that aims to educate both men and women about the peri and menopause, and how to manage such situations. Louise highlights that the findings from the SWMC survey are being taken to Welsh Government to help establish a service and national framework to support women when experiencing peri and menopause.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.
*This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on the 17th July 2025*
The second webinar of The Manifesto Sessions, discusses the support available for families and loved one's of people who use substances, and what else can be done to ensure better, and more effective services to those affected by other people's substance use.
In this episode, we are joined by Mike Blanche, from Gwent Drug and Alcohol Family Service (GDAFS), who has been working with concerned others for 27 years. Mike shares his own story of supporting a loved one, which started his career in this field, as well as helping establish one of the first dedicated concerned other services in Wales.
We are also joined by Kate Doyle, Andrew McCutchion and Anna Lewis, from the Family Support Team within the Cardiff and Vale Drug and Alcohol Service (CAVDAS). The team discuss the launch of "Twinkle Twinkle Arti", a bilingual storytelling project developed by CAVDAS to help children discuss parental substance use.
The Manifesto Sessions is a series of ten webinars, with each webinar focusing on a specific “ask” with Barod's 'Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances'. For more information about this webinar series, including future sessions, please click here.
*Some listeners may find some of the content in this episode distressing or triggering. Please take care while listening, and be aware this episode is intended for informational and harm reduction purposes*
In the second part of this episode, Rob is joined by Sian (Barod's Operations Manager), Katie (DDAS Active Treatment Worker) and Jamie (Barod's Swansea Service Manager). Part 2 of this episode focuses on some of the myths associated with injecting drug use, why people inject and how best to engage with people who inject drugs.
We also explore why stigma often intensifies towards people who inject drugs, compared to other routes of administration. It is also discussed why needle and syringe programmes have seen a significant drop in the amount of people accessing such harm reduction services in Wales and what issues this may cause, as well as highlighting key harm reduction tips when injecting drugs.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.
*Some listeners may find some of the content in this episode distressing or triggering. Please take care while listening, and be aware this episode is intended for informational and harm reduction purposes*
In this episode, we are joined by Sian (Barod's Operations Manager), Katy (DDAS Active Treatment Worker) and Jamie (Barod's Swansea Service Manager). Part 1 of this episode focuses on injecting drug use, including what the different form of injecting are, what substances we tend to see and hear about being injected, and why administering drugs via this method increases the risk of an overdose.
We also talk about injecting in the groin, and the complexities that are involved in such practice, as well as the pivotal role needle and syringe programmes play in reducing harm to people who inject drugs.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.
*This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on the 18th June 2025*
The first webinar of The Manifesto Sessions, kicks off by discussing why language within the substance use field is important.
In this episode, Rob Barker, Barod's Campaigns and Communications Lead, discusses the process of working with people with lived and living experience of substance use that has led to the publication of the organisations new terminology guide, 'Why Language Matters'.
Deb Hussey, from Exchange Supplies, also joins the session and answers critical questions around language and what profound effects it can have.
The Manifesto Sessions is a series of ten webinars, with each webinar focusing on a specific “ask” with Barod's 'Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances'. For more information about this webinar series, including future sessions, please click here.
In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Joe Janes, a Lecturer in Criminology at Swansea University, and Barod's Operations Manager, Sian, who is the visionary and pioneer behind Spike on a Bike (SOAB). SOAB is a service offered by Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS) where you can get sterile injecting equipment and other harm reduction services delivered straight to your door – fast and for free, and is the only service of its kind, in all of Europe.
Sian takes us back to over 10-years ago and how the situation of 'Stan', an individual who injected heroin in rural West Wales, inspired the thought of an innovative harm reduction service that was eventually implemented in November 2021. Joe also highlights what data has been captured to date and showcases how SOAB has led to both a raft of positive outcomes, as well as people engaging with traditional harm reduction services, that otherwise wouldn't have, if it wasn't for SOAB.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.
We are joined by Jade, an Active Treatment Worker at Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS). As part of her role, Jade works closely with Aberystwyth University and has been integral in both providing harm reduction services to students, as well as changing their policies around substance use, resulting in the university no longer taking a zero tolerance approach.
Jade shares what harm reduction support is available during the night time economy in Aberystwyth as well as how campus life and experiences can impact students and influence substance use. Jade discusses the support available to students on campus, including peer 2 peer support. Jade also outlines how DDAS help changed the curriculum on various degree's that resulted in students now having access to evidenced-based drug and alcohol lectures and naloxone training.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.
Contents of the podcast:
00:00 Introduction
03:24 Harm reduction in the night time economy
08:08 How receptive are students to harm reduction?
12:09 Support on campus for students
18:09 Peer to Peer support
20:26 Nationally accredited harm reduction university
25:17 Changing curriculums to include harm reduction
28:04 Student life influencing substance use
35:18 University initiatives promoting harm reduction
In this episode, we are joined by artist and curator, Leon Clowes. Leon explores lived trauma through the powerful mediums of sound and words and joins us ahead of his upcoming performance, 'The Alcoholic's Tarot'.
Leon sheds light on his latest performance and well as sharing his journey from a dependency on alcohol use through to his recovery and his current work. Leon is also the co-founder of 'Addiction Recovery Arts Network'.
The Alcoholic's Tarot is being performed at The Volcano Theatre, Swansea and more information can be found by clicking here.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.
In this episode, Rob and Jamie discuss all things MDMA, or Ecstasy more commonly known to some. The pair discuss its appeal and why it is one of the more popular drugs, while also dissecting its history, effects and harm reduction.
The episode also looks at the current death figures associated to MDMA, as well as delving into the role of Alexander Shulgin in the 1970s and the use of the drug we see today. It is also highlighted as to what treatment services can do, to try and engage more effectively with people who use MDMA.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066.
In this episode, with are joined by the CEO of the Ana Liffey Drug Project, and a heavyweight in the drug policy field, Tony Duffin. As Tony prepares to stand down as CEO, he discusses his time leading the harm reduction service in Ireland while also highlighting the need to keep harm reduction at the top of the agenda when looking at reducing drug related harms.
Tony also discusses 'Harm Reduction 2.0', a term he frequently uses to ensure we are talking about all aspects of harm reduction and not just the select few issues. Tony also highlights the recent Citizen's Assembly on drugs in Ireland, a group that consisted of 99 members of the general public, that culminated in a report citing 36 recommendations for a new Irish model to reduce the harm caused by illicit drugs use.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066.
In this episode, Rob and Jamie discuss all things ketamine, including the news in the last couple of months that the Government is considering reclassifying the substance to a Class A drug. We also discuss what ketamine's appeal is and why people use it, as well as asking whether it is a relatively safe drug?
The pair also talk about what a k-hole is and share some stories when supporting people who have experienced this phenomenon, as well as breaking down what ketamine-bladder syndrome is, along with harm reduction advice for those who use the substance.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066.Please note this episode was originally recorded on 15th January 2025.
In this episode, we are joined by Deb Hussey. Deb is Turning Point's National SaferLives Lead and is widely recognised across the UK as one of the countries leading figures within harm reduction. Deb talks about how harm reduction was a game changer in her own life, as well as highlighting we already know what the solutions are to the rising drug-related-deaths in the UK. Deb also discusses what her greatest accomplishment is, to date, within her professional career and why events such as the annual SaferLives conference in Birmingham, are so important. Deb also highlights what developments she would like to see within the harm reduction field, over the next few years. If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066.
Rob and Jamie discuss all things cocaine, from the latest drug related deaths associated to the substance, the difference between powder cocaine and crack, and why we are seeing more people enter services seeking support for the use of the stimulant.
The episode also explores where the UK's cocaine comes from and how cultivation and production of the drug is at its record levels, again. Rob and Jamie also discuss the use of cocaine with other drugs and their respective risks, along with harm reduction advice for anyone use intends to use cocaine.
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066.
We are joined by Lou, a trainer within the Young Person's Gwent N-Gage service, who specialises in the relationship between drugs and social media. So how do people come across drugs on social media and how easy is it to buy drugs online?
We also discuss what apps tend to be used to make such purchases and whether the quality of drugs differ and if it proves to be cheaper too. And if young people are buying substances online, where do they get their drugs delivered to?
If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066.
