Driving the use of low dead space injecting equipment among people who inject drugs

Project aims

This project aimed to increase the adoption of this new, safer equipment in needle and syringe programmes.

What we did

We developed posters, a booklet and animation to promote the benefits and use of low dead space equipment, and broader harm reduction messages, for people who inject drugs, the needle and syringe programmes that support them, and policymakers.

Funded by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC), Deborah Hussey, Assertive Engagement Worker from Bristol Drugs Project, joined the CLAHRC West team as Knowledge Mobilisation Fellow for the project. Deborah visited needle and syringe programmes around the UK, from Glasgow to London, to understand barriers to the uptake of low dead space equipment, and how different programmes operate and share harm reduction messages. The team’s academic lead was Jo Kesten and communications expertise was brought by Zoe Trinder-Widdess.

Deborah and the rest of the team then worked with Michael Linnell of Linnell Communications, a designer who specialises in information product design for drugs, alcohol and public health campaigns.

Through a series of workshops, the materials were co-designed by service users from Bristol Drugs Project, who shaped the messages, language and look and feel of the materials. Working closely with the intended audiences means the materials have been tailored to their needs and preferences, so will have a greater impact and resonance with them.

The project was overseen by a steering group that included Bristol Drugs Project, Exchange Supplies, Public Health England, the Bristol Health Partners Drug and Alcohol Health Integration Team (HIT), CLAHRC West and HPRU.

The final products are now available to download from Exchange Supplies’ website. Exchange Supplies is a social enterprise that has pioneered the use of detachable low dead space equipment among people who inject drugs.

How we involved people

Deborah visited needle and syringe programmes around the UK, from Glasgow to Wales, to understand barriers to the uptake of low dead space equipment, and how different programmes operate and share harm reduction messages. This information was used to develop the content of the materials. Deborah also invited a group of five service users from Bristol Drugs Project to co-design the materials through workshops. They were a diverse group in terms of age, level of experience in injecting drugs and equipment preferences.

What next?

We are sharing the materials widely with service users, needle and syringe programmes, commissioners and public health stakeholders.

The materials were also on public display in the gallery space at the Station on Silver Street from 8-31 January 2019. A special launch event, with the opportunity to hear from the people involved in the project, was held on 24 January at the Kitchen café in the same building. Speakers included some of the service users involved in the project and Deborah Hussey, Michael Linnell, Andrew Preston from Exchange Supplies.

We will monitor downloads and sharing of the materials and changes in the equipment provided by needle and syringe programmes. We will assess any changes to risk behaviours, such as equipment sharing and cleaning, through routinely collected data.

We are working with Exchange Supplies to develop training for staff and volunteers working in needle and syringe programmes.

Watch the animation