10.06.19
2 minute read
An academic paper exploring a project which used materials co-designed by BDP services users has been published in Harm Reduction Journal. The project promoted the use of Low Dead Space injecting equipment and other harm reduction practices through the co-designed materials.
Low Dead Space equipment has been designed to minimise the amount of space between the needle and the plunger after injecting especially when compared to the traditional injecting equipment currently supplied by needle exchanges who use detachable needs. This is important as blood and drugs can remain in this space increasing the risk of spreading blood borne viruses including HIV and Hepatitis C as more blood could be left in the equipment.
Lead paper author Deborah Hussey, from BDP, visited needle exchanges across the country and helped develop the materials with service users when on secondment with CLAHRC West.
As an Assertive Engagement Worker at Bristol Drugs Project, my day job is to help out the person in front of me. But this project has allowed me to help people who inject drugs at a population level, expanding the scope of my passion for harm reduction considerably. It’s been an honour to represent Bristol Drugs Project in this collaboration with CLAHRC West.
The Low Dead Space materials are available to order now from the Exchange Supplies website. For more details about the project please read the paper published in Harm Reduction Journal.
