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.
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I am a drug user activist and technical advisor. I post about drugs, health and rights. I spotlight the work of activists, advocates, practitioners and policymakers around the world championing the rights and health of people who use drugs. Welcoming of respectful dialogue and open to learning.
Employing people who use drugs at Exchange Supplies. Interview with the wonderful Andrew Preston
Interview with Andrew Preston from Exchange Supplies
YouTube video by Coact Technical Support
youtu.be
October 30, 2025 at 4:05 PM
Employing people who use drugs at Exchange Supplies. Interview with the wonderful Andrew Preston
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.
Help us raising funds for people who use drugs! Crowdfunding project between Drug Science and Coact to raise the costs of desktop publishing and video promotion of innovative community led housing project in Norway. Help us share learning about an alternative to street based drug use. Target: £10000
app.givematch.com
September 29, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Help us raising funds for people who use drugs! Crowdfunding project between Drug Science and Coact to raise the costs of desktop publishing and video promotion of innovative community led housing project in Norway. Help us share learning about an alternative to street based drug use. Target: £10000
The good people at the community-led Hepatitis C Trust in the UK are looking for a female harm reduction coordinator in my old stomping grounds of Hackney in East London. Exciting chance to contribute to the elimination of HCV among people who use drugs.
FEMALE HARM REDUCTION COORDINATOR (HACKNEY / CITY OF LONDON) - The Hepatitis C Trust
This is an exciting new role working with the guidance of the Peer Programme Manager and in partnership with the London Joint Working Group, local substance use services, the Harm Reduction Peer Coord...
share.google
September 2, 2025 at 8:00 AM
The good people at the community-led Hepatitis C Trust in the UK are looking for a female harm reduction coordinator in my old stomping grounds of Hackney in East London. Exciting chance to contribute to the elimination of HCV among people who use drugs.
I’m disappointed by BlueSky. I was looking for a new home after Twitter but not sure this is it. The lack of algorithms means there is no interaction with global community in different timezones. We need good algorithms that foster dialogue and collaboration.
July 25, 2025 at 8:10 AM
I’m disappointed by BlueSky. I was looking for a new home after Twitter but not sure this is it. The lack of algorithms means there is no interaction with global community in different timezones. We need good algorithms that foster dialogue and collaboration.
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.
Very happy with podcast on harm reduction and letting communities lead. Anew podcast to explore harm reduction, community organising and to help in the growing conversation about the development of UK drug services. open.spotify.com/episode/0fSR...
From the Inside Out - Mat Southwell
Too Light Too Dark · Episode
open.spotify.com
July 19, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Very happy with podcast on harm reduction and letting communities lead. Anew podcast to explore harm reduction, community organising and to help in the growing conversation about the development of UK drug services. open.spotify.com/episode/0fSR...
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.
Chatham House event on Global Drug Policy: Former Presidents Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico and Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, and former High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, outline how multilateral cooperation and policy change can reverse global drug trends. Worth a watch or listen!
Global drug policy: How to win the war?
Former Presidents Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico and Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, and former High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, outline how multilateral cooperation and policy change can ...
www.chathamhouse.org
July 10, 2025 at 12:15 PM
Chatham House event on Global Drug Policy: Former Presidents Ernesto Zedillo of Mexico and Juan Manuel Santos of Colombia, and former High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour, outline how multilateral cooperation and policy change can reverse global drug trends. Worth a watch or listen!
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.
Good article from @mikejay.bsky.social for Transform. Coact is developing a new one-day catalytic training and planning event with a UK drug service. Chance to review and strengthen their response to ketamine and care pathways for those struggling with ketamine. transformdrugs.org/blog/how-bri...
transformdrugs.org
June 24, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Good article from @mikejay.bsky.social for Transform. Coact is developing a new one-day catalytic training and planning event with a UK drug service. Chance to review and strengthen their response to ketamine and care pathways for those struggling with ketamine. transformdrugs.org/blog/how-bri...
Emanuel Sferios founder of DanceSafe and Matthew Arago are now facing hostile cease and desist action from Miraculix who want to control community testing technology for profit. grassrootsharmreduction.org/defend-harm-...
Defend Harm Reduction and Scientific Integrity
A German corporation, Miraculix, is trying to patent basic quantitative test kits for nearly all classes of drugs, including opioids.
grassrootsharmreduction.org
June 23, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Emanuel Sferios founder of DanceSafe and Matthew Arago are now facing hostile cease and desist action from Miraculix who want to control community testing technology for profit. grassrootsharmreduction.org/defend-harm-...
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.
Happy to be working with Drug User News and Altlier on a new TikTok venture to promote the work of drug user initiatives around the world. Creative thinking in difficult times.
Цветы сквозь асфальт
YouTube video by Drug Users News
www.youtube.com
June 23, 2025 at 8:15 AM
Happy to be working with Drug User News and Altlier on a new TikTok venture to promote the work of drug user initiatives around the world. Creative thinking in difficult times.
Highly recommend @garthmullins.bsky.social
book and audiobook - Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs g.co/kgs/83JYSwW. Compelling, honest and inspiring. A must read for drug user, harm reduction and drug policy activists.
book and audiobook - Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs g.co/kgs/83JYSwW. Compelling, honest and inspiring. A must read for drug user, harm reduction and drug policy activists.
Google Search
g.co
June 22, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Highly recommend @garthmullins.bsky.social
book and audiobook - Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs g.co/kgs/83JYSwW. Compelling, honest and inspiring. A must read for drug user, harm reduction and drug policy activists.
book and audiobook - Crackdown: Surviving and Resisting the War on Drugs g.co/kgs/83JYSwW. Compelling, honest and inspiring. A must read for drug user, harm reduction and drug policy activists.
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.