Drugs Uncut

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.

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