The Manifesto Sessions: #8 Community-based drug checking

**This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on 27th January 2026**

Our 8th webinar in our Manifesto Sessions webinar series focused on community drug checking services. As part of our ‘Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances’, we want community drug checking services to be part and parcel of harm reduction interventions across Wales. Drug checking services allow people to get their substances tested, often by voluntarily dropping off their sample without fear of arrest, and subsequently provides individuals with information of the content of their substances, as well as tailored harm reduction advice and often, brief interventions.

The need for community-based services is as significant as ever, given the threats posed by dangerous and toxic substances, most notably synthetic opioids, emerging within the illegal drugs market. Community-based services, by being situated within current treatment services, can give timely information regarding the contents of the samples tested, as well as provide a human touch by having face to face harm reduction discussions and opening the door for people to access treatment, if required.

In this episode, we hear from Katy Porter, CEO of The Loop, and Gavin Jones, Head of Operations, Gwent Drug and Alcohol Service (GDAS).

Content of the video:

00:00 Introduction

02:08 Gavin Jones

12:22 Katy Porter

38:10 Q&A

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