There is no universal drug checking model that can effectively reach all people who use drugs (PWUDs). Instead, tailored approaches are necessary to meet the specific needs and characteristics of different target groups. These approaches range from mobile drug checking at music festivals, nightlife venues or free parties – primarily targeting recreational users - to stationary drug checking at counselling facilities, drug checking in drug consumption rooms, and even postal service. This panel will explore how different settings influence the design and delivery of drug checking services, highlighting challenges, specific requirements and opportunities within each environment.

co-curated by Nights

English Health / Harm Reduction

Moderation

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  Raoul Koning he/him

  Jellinek Netherlands

  Raoul Koning has been involved in drug checking in the Netherlands since 2011. He has worked at the head office of the Dutch Drugs Information and Monitoring System (DIMS) for several years. Since 2017 he is working for the Jellinek drug …

Speakers

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  Bruce Wallace he/him

  University of Victoria, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research Canada

  Bruce Wallace is a Professor at University of Victoria’s School of Social Work and a Scientist with the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR). His research focuses on substance use and harm reduction and is the Co-Lead of …

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  Guy Jones he/him

  The Loop United Kingdom

  Guy Jones first volunteered with Psycare UK 12 years ago, providing welfare at festivals. He was immediately intrigued by the conundrum of helping people reduce risk by helping them understand what was in their drugs, a …

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  Inma Rios-López she/her

  Energy Control Spain

  PhD in Chemical Engineering, currently working as a lab manager in Energy Control coordinating the team and supervising sample flow and analysis.

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  Mireia Ventura she/her

  ABD-Energy Control Spain

  Mireia Ventura holds a PhD in Pharmacy and has been the Director of the Drug Checking Services at Energy Control-ABD since 2007. With over twenty years of involvement in Energy Control, she has extensive experience in field interventions …

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  Sasha Lucena Maciel they/them

  Kosmicare Portugal

  Sasha Lucena Maciel is a brazillian non-binary person based in Lisbon. Joining the worlds of arts and science, day and night, Sasha is not only a DJ but also a working research assistant in the lab they’ve concluded their …

Location