Freelance journalist, author and podcast host, Mattha Busby, joins Drugs Unwrapped to discuss whether we should legalise all drugs and the constant developments within the psychedelic world. Mattha is the author of the book 'Should we legalise all drugs' as well as being a well known freelance journalist, reporting on various matters relating to substance use, from across the world. In 2023, Mattha broke the news that the ACMD, the main advisors to the UK government on drug policy, recommended decriminalising possession in 2016, only for the Home Office to try and keep the 27-page report confidential. Mattha discusses whether drugs should be legalised and what the catastrophic impact of prohibition has had across the globe. Mattha also highlights some of the developments of the use of psychedelics for multiple purposes as, well as sharing some of the stories heard from his own podcast, 'Unchartered Territory'. Mattha has reported on many unique stories for various media outlets, including Vice, The Guardian and The Times. Mattha provides an insight into one particular experience, undertaking a 5-day darkness retreat in Mexico and what impact it had on his own wellbeing. 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 Sarah (Gwent N-Gage Young Person's Service Manager) discuss the latest substance use trends among young people and how plans are in place to overhaul drug education within schools, throughout the Gwent region. Sarah outlines the plans for the service, ahead of the start of a new 10-year contract to deliver young person's and family services in Gwent and what changes are expected, compared to the previous 7-years of delivery. Sarah also discusses what substances young people are accessing for support around, where they get their harm reduction information from and how Covid-19 played a role in the change of treatment delivery. 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 the latest news regarding synthetic opioids, including the UK government's decision to ban 14 nitazenes and reports of more fatalities in Wales associated to these substances. What impact will the latest 'crackdown' on drugs have, especially on those who use substances? We discuss whether this latest ban will work, or if history is likely to repeat itself and other substances will just replace them within the UK drug market. We also highlight what harm reduction measures could be implemented to mitigate such issues associated to nitazenes, including drug checking services and how this can significantly help provide current and factual harm reduction information. We also answer your questions via our ADQs (Ask Drug Questions section) and Rob questions Jamie about why he couldn't get past episode 2 of Breaking Bad! 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, Hannah and Shannon discuss why some substances are deemed more acceptable than others. Does your environment make using certain substances more 'OK' compared to other situations? Why would drinking alcohol after work on a Tuesday be viewed as OK, while using ketamine mid-week may be viewed differently? We discuss how alcohol came to be an accepted part of our lives, and society, and how many factors from family values to legislation play a significant role. If all drugs were to be legalised, would people view each substance in the same light as one of the nations favourite 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 or text DAN to 81066.

In this episode, we are joined by Stephanie Coronado-Montoya. Steph is a PhD candidate in psychiatry and addiction at University of Montreal. Steph discusses her thesis and a brand new harm reduction intervention that is specifically aimed at people with psychosis who use cannabis. We also delve into the relationship between cannabis and psychosis and explore why people who experience such mental health issues, use 'weed'. Canada was one of the first countries in the world to introduce a legal, regulated cannabis market and Steph highlights how this is going and whether anyone wants to go back to the more prohibitive approach, pre-2018. We would highly recommend giving Steph a follow on Instagram @the.brain.diaries, especially if you want the latest new in cannabis research. 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 is joined by Ant Lehane, Policy Lead at Cranstoun. Ant has an extensive amount of experience working within the drug policy arena and discussing such topics with politicians from across the UK. Is advocating for drug policy reform is a vote winner or loser? Which political party boasts the most progressive drug policies within their manifestos? Will we see significant changes to UK drug policy if Labour wins the next general election? Are politicians, behind closed doors, supportive of changing drug laws in the UK? These are just some of the topics discussed in our latest episode. **Disclaimer. The views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the panellists and do not necessarily represent those of the organisations they represent and employed by**

Rob is joined by Sarah (Gwent N-Gage Young Person's Service Manager), Hannah (Young Person's worker in Cwm Taf & Bridgend) and Shannon (Young Person's worker in Choices West). In this episode, we discuss solvents (or volatile substances as other may called them), drugs such as aerosols, gases, petrol, poppers, glue and nitrous oxide. The panellists share some of the stories of people they have supported who use such substances and what impact and effects it has had on those individuals. We also talk about how potentially harmful such substance are, especially compared to other substances such as cannabis, as well as people's perceptions of solvents. We also chat about how harm reduction is limited, when using solvents and how we look to other ways to minimise risks. 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 Sarah are joined by Rin, who has accessed Gwent N-Gage's transitional service. Rin felt that adult services didn't quite fit their needs and they were over the age threshold to access young person's services. So where did they fit in from a services perspective? Rin used to use cannabis and spend up to £300 a month. They discuss why they used cannabis and what they got from it, but then why they decided enough was enough. Rin also discusses what helped them to overcome their cannabis use. Rin goes on to shed light on transitional services, those available for 18-25 year olds, and why they are different to those of adult services and why they are vitally important. They also talk about their role within the services Youth Ambassador Service, which encourages people with lived experience to help shape service provision. 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 'emergency' episode, Rob and Jamie reflect on the 2022 drug related death figures that were released on 19th December 2023. The release of the 2022 drug related death data was delayed, but we saw deaths associated to substances, in Wales, reduce to 318, down from 322 in 2021. However, we have once again seen cocaine-related deaths increase, with 52 people losing their lives in 2022, due to the use of the stimulant substance. Jamie shares his reflections and thoughts on the data as a whole but also discusses what services are doing to try and mitigate risks that can increase the likelihood of someone who uses substances, experiencing a fatal overdose. Both discuss why there has been an ever increasing number of cocaine-related deaths over the years, as well as what needs to be done, to help try and reduce drug related deaths in Wales. 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, we chat to Martin Powell from Transform Drug Policy Foundation. Transform are an independent, UK-based charity working nationally and internationally towards a just and effective system of legal regulation for all drugs. Martin is an expert within the drug policy field and has extensive knowledge of Overdose Prevention Centres (OPCs), Police Drug Diversion Schemes, Heroin Assisted Treatment and Drug Checking Services, to name just a few. Martin discusses OPCs and whether these are services we are likely to see established more widely across the UK. Additionally, this episode explores the current opium ban in Afghanistan, how this is, and may, impact the UK, especially increasing the threat of synthetic opioids entering the drug market, which could add to the UK's current record level of drug-related-deaths. 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 benzodiazepines, a class of sedative substances. Benzo's, for short, have gradually got more attention over the last few years due to their continued use, implications within overdoses and the growing number of 'novel' forms hitting the UK drug market. Rob and Jamie look at what we see from a services perspective in terms of people accessing support for benzo use, what the implications are in relation benzo's being the subject of significant adulteration and how harm reduction has changed over the last 10 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 is joined by Sarah, Hannah and Jamie to discuss the 'A' word, alcohol, and what our relationship is like with this substance, and where is it heading? The panel share their experience from a services perspective, in terms of people accessing support for alcohol use, how this has increased significantly since the pandemic and how the UK Government has politicised alcohol and the public's relationship with it. The episode also discusses how people are now choosing to remove alcohol from their lives and if 'sober shaming' is an issue. 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 be aware that some listeners may find some of the content discussed in this episode, distressing and upsetting* In this episode, we talk to Petra Schulz, who tragically lost her youngest son, Danny, to a fatal fentanyl overdose in 2014, at the age of 25. Petra lives in Edmonton, Alberta, in Canada and since Danny's death has become a key figure in the fight for drug policy reform, both in her own province, but also nationally. Petra highlights the origins of Canada's current drug poisoning crisis, including the role of the wrongful and over prescribing of Oxycontin, as well as efforts to try get a hold of the crisis, such as the introduction of drug consumption rooms and safe supply. Petra also talks about her work in co-founding the national organisation Moms Stop the Harm and being a part of changing the legislation regarding naloxone dissemination across Canada. Lastly, and most importantly, Petra talks about the life of her youngest son, Danny and recalls the day that she found her son had passed away from a fentanyl overdose. If you would like to learn more about Petra and her work, please follow the below links: Moms Stop The Harm Holding Hope Healing Hearts Canada 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, Jamie and Danielle have over 40 years experience of working within the substance use field, between them. In this episode, they chat about the realities of what it's like to work in the drugs field and specifically in treatment services. All three share some of the funnier sides to their work and the people they have met along the way, as well as how they have taken inspiration from those that have sought support for substance related issues. They also talk about some of the more challenging and heart-breaking situations they have encountered. 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 is joined by Jamie, the Service Manager for Barod's Swansea services, and Hannah, a transitional caseworker for 18-24 year olds in Cwm Taf and Bridgend. In this episode we discuss whether heroin is the most dangerous illegal drug? We explore what heroin is, as a substance, but more specifically, we look at a variety of external factors that can lead to the use of the substance being highly risky. The panel discusses such factors, including how heroin is often administered, the issues surrounding the drug being illegal and what risks that poses, as well as how the media often portray the substance and those that use heroin. So what poses the biggest danger, the drug itself or other external factors? 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 we discuss drug taking at festivals. Rob is joined by Danielle, a young person's worker for Choices West, based in Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion, and Jamie, Barod's Swansea services manager. Both have extensive experience of providing welfare support at festivals, across the UK. Both Danielle and Jamie share stories of people they have supported at festivals, when the individual has accessed welfare support. They shed light on what drugs people often use at festivals, as well as unique situations to such events, including the use of sniffer dogs and unknown dealers, which can potentially increase the risks associated to substance use. Measures to reduce harm of taking substances at festivals is also discussed such as drug checking services and how people can best prepare themselves before they attend.

**Trigger Warning - Alcohol Use, Mental Health and Suicide** In this episode, we are joined by Steve, who talks about his previous experience of alcohol dependency, struggles with his mental health and how is life is now, supporting people affected by substance use. Steve grew up in Bromley, but by the age of 10, he was experiencing suicide ideation and not long after, struggling with self esteem and anxiety. In his late teens, Steve began drinking alcohol, which led him to becoming dependent, as well as using other drugs. Steve also recalls some incidents that led him to self-harm and trying to take his own life. Since accessing support five years ago, Steve's life has changed significantly resulting him in now working within the substance use field and supporting people affected by alcohol and other drugs.

Rob is joined by Sarah, manager for the young persons service Gwent N-Gage and Jamie, Barod's manager for the Swansea services. Both have extensive knowledge and experience of supporting and providing services for young people affected by substance use. In this episode, Rob, Sarah and Jamie discuss substance use among young people, what are the most common substances young people seek support for and are some drugs viewed differently to others? The panel also discuss how parents react to their children using drugs and how current prohibition can affect the futures of young people.