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This month, our hosts Kirsten and Jason discuss the latest National Records of Scotland drug-related deaths figures, what they tell us about drug-related harm and the challenges that remain.  They also reflect on feedback from our Living Experience Engagement Groups and the importance of using non-stigmatising language.

Following on from the recent 'Experiences of MAT Standards Implementation for People Who Use Cocaine and Crack', Samantha Stewart (Research and Peer Engagement Senior Officer, SDF) and Ally (Peer Researcher, SDF) join Kirsten Horsburgh, CEO of Scottish Drugs Forum, and Jason Wallace, Programme Manager for Lived and Living Experience, to discuss the research behind the report. They explore the peer research process, key findings and recommendations, alongside the real experiences of those accessing the treatment in Scotland. You can read the full report here: https://sdf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Experiences-of-MAT-standards-implementation-for-people-who-use-cocaine-and-crack-SDF-August-2026.pdf And the Executive Summary here: https://sdf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/Experiences-of-MAT-standards-implementation-for-people-who-use-cocaine-and-crack-SDF-August-2026-Executive-Summary.pdf

In this episode of Drugs Uncut, Kirsten and Jason are joined by John Campbell, Injecting Equipment Provision Manager at Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Recovery Services and Andy McAuley, Professor of Public Health at Glasgow Caledonian University. They explore the provision of safer inhalation equipment as a harm reduction approach, including what the evidence tells us, the role equipment can play in reducing harms and the current picture of provision in Scotland.

The latest issue of Buzz - the only magazine created by and for people who use substances - is out now. In this episode of Drugs Uncut podcast, Kirsten and Jason are joined by Lorraine from the Buzz peer editorial board and Whitney, a drug and alcohol support worker at Murray's Initiative. They dive into Buzz's lead story - substance use within the LGBTQ+ community.   Recorded during Pride month, this is a conversation about why real representation matters, what it takes to build spaces where people feel heard, and how sharing personal stories can break down stigma and inspire real change.

In this episode Kirsten and Jason are joined by Peter Kelly, CEO of the Poverty Alliance, to explore poverty and inequality in Scotland, and the relationship between poverty, public health and drug use. They discuss the work of the Poverty Alliance, the role of living and lived experience in shaping policy, and the wider social and economic factors driving exclusion, stigma and poor health outcomes across Scotland. The conversation also looks at what Scotland’s political leaders should prioritise moving forward and the changes needed at both policy and community level.

In this episode, Kirsten and Jason are joined by Carolyn Lochhead, CEO of Alcohol Focus Scotland. They explore the charity’s ambitions under Carolyn’s leadership, the complexities of Scotland’s relationship with alcohol and the ongoing debate around how alcohol is regulated and perceived in public life.  The conversation also tackles some of the biggest policy questions facing Scotland today, including the integration of drugs and alcohol strategy, gaps in current support systems and what meaningful change could look like over the next few years.

In this episode of Drugs Uncut, Kirsten and Jason are joined by Director of Scotland at WithYou, Louise Stewart, to explore the priorities each charity has set for the next government ahead of the upcoming election.  Through a “manifesto exchange”, they discuss the key issues facing Scotland’s drug and alcohol sector, highlight areas of shared focus and reflect on how organisations are working to influence policy and drive meaningful change. Read WithYou’s priorities and our manifesto.

For the latest episode of Drugs Uncut, Kirsten and Jason were joined by our former CEO and Founder of Scottish Drugs Forum (SDF), Dave Liddell, who shared insights from our organisation's beginnings and reflected on his time our charity.

Following on from the recent 'Evaluation of Exploring Long-Acting Injectable Buprenorphine Provision Across Scotland', Louise Horn (Peer Research Development Officer, SDF) and Jacqui (Peer Researcher, SDF) join Kirsten Horsburgh, CEO of Scottish Drugs Forum, and Jason Wallace, Programme Manager for Lived and Living Experience, to discuss the research behind the report. They explore the peer research process, key findings and recommendations, alongside the real experiences of those accessing the treatment in Scotland.   You can read the full report here: https://sdf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Evaluation-of-Exploring-Long-Acting-Injectable-Buprenorphine-Provision-Across-Scotland-August-2025.pdf   And the Executive Summary here: https://sdf.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Evaluation-of-Exploring-Long-Acting-Injectable-Buprenorphine-Provision-Across-Scotland-SDF-August-2025-Executive-Summary.pdf

In the latest episode, Kirsten Horsburgh, CEO of SDF, and Jason Wallace, Lived and Living Experience Programme Manager at SDF, sit down with Nikki and John from the Buzz Magazine Peer Editorial Board for a behind-the-scenes look at how the magazine is made. They talk about the progress Buzz has achieved so far, what being part of the editorial board means to them, and how they develop the stories that shape each issue. An insightful conversation about creativity, voice, and the power of peer-led media. You can read issue #2 at www.buzz.scot

In this episode, SDF CEO Kirsten Horsburgh is joined by her new co-host Jason Wallace, Programme Manager for Lived and Living Experience at SDF, alongside Hannah Westwater, Editor & Content Creator and Billy McKay, Peer Community Engagement Officer for Buzz. They discuss the launch of ‘Buzz’ - a bold, peer-led magazine created, developed and led by an Editorial Board, all of whom are people with living experience of drug use in Scotland. The team explore how the magazine was produced, how the Peer Editorial Board create the content, and how Buzz amplifies the authentic voices from the community. They also share plans for future issues and the vision for the magazine as a tool for connection, conversation, and challenging stigma across Scotland.   You can read the first issue of Buzz on their website at www.buzz.scot

After nearly two decades at Scottish Drugs Forum, Austin Smith, our Head of Policy, Practice and Communications, has retired - leaving behind an extraordinary legacy of influence, leadership and change. To mark this significant milestone, Austin joined our CEO for a special episode of SDF’s Drugs Uncut podcast to reflect on his time in post - from how the landscape has changed, to what still needs to happen, and what has kept him going through it all. It’s a conversation full of insight and honesty

What is happening in Glasgow will be crucial in the development of harm reduction services across the UK in the next decade. Dr Saket Priyadarshi, clinical lead of Glasgow's treatment services and Gillian Ferguson co-ordinator of Glasgow Alcohol and Drug Partnership - the local commissioning and co-ordinating body - discuss the background to delivering the UK's first drug consumption room - the issues it will address; how it has been designed and delivered and how its impacts will be evaluated.

Sheila Vakharia of the Drug Policy Alliance, author of The Harm Reduction Gap, discusses the development and aims of harm reduction, and hope as a practice.

In this episode of Drugs Uncut, SDF’s Wez Steele is joined by Mat Southwell, Project Co-ordinator at EuroNPUD. Mat and Wez discuss the key role peers have in the development of policy and practice as well as the effective delivery of services. They also discuss the uniquely British division between harm reduction advocacy and recovery when the community’s diverse experiences and perspectives are most impactful when peers work together. Mat provides international and UK examples of good practice in involving and compensating peers, and describes the good practice guide to employing people who use drugs  which he created for The International HIV/AIDS Alliance in 2015. Finally, Mat and Wez discuss Mat’s involvement in research and the distribution of crack pipes in England, how peers are involved and what Scotland can learn.