London’s first drug checking service opens in Camden
A pioneering drug checking service has opened in Camden to help reduce drug-related harm and provide targeted support.
The free service is the first of its kind in London, offered in Camden and Hackney by charity The Loop.
The service is aimed at dependent drug users, giving them clear and accurate information about substances they may be consuming. This comes with non-judgemental support from health professionals and advice on reducing harm.
It will also enable public health professionals and police to better understand substances in circulation and inform approaches to sharing harm reduction messages at an early stage.
It will be operated by The Loop’s specialist team of chemists and health professionals, working in partnership with Change Grow Live Camden - the council’s drug and alcohol service provider.
This forms part of Camden’s multi-agency approach to reduce drug-related deaths and harm, and supporting anyone struggling with drug dependency through their journey to recovery. Other interventions available include drop-in sessions, prescribing, one-to-one support with key workers, group work in community venues, dedicated services for women, and specialist support for anyone who is sleeping rough.
While we’re clear that no drug use comes without risk, this service is crucial to understanding whether drugs that are contaminated by synthetic opioids or other dangerous substances may be circulating.
Working alongside our partners, it gives us an opportunity to prevent harm at the earliest opportunity and to provide more specialist support to our residents who are most vulnerable to dangerous drugs. Our aim is to ensure they get the help they need to stay safe and be supported towards recovery.
Patrycja Fila, Deputy Services Manager at Change Grow Live Camden, said: “Change Grow Live is proud to collaborate with our partners on this important initiative. Drug checking offers a crucial opportunity to engage individuals in open, non-judgemental conversations about their substance use, helping to reduce harm and connecting people to support when they need it. Our priority is ensuring people have clear information and access to the right services so they can make informed choices and stay safe”
Katy Porter, CEO of The Loop, said: “This marks a major step for harm reduction in the UK. Following the introduction of The Loop’s Bristol-based service in 2024, crucially more people will now have access to regular drug checking. Hackney and Camden are the first of several London boroughs we are working with, alongside further cities. This launch represents another important shift toward evidence-based health interventions at a time when drug deaths in England are at an all-time high.”
The drop-in service is available at Change Grow Live Camden's hub in Camden Town (Kings Studio, 43-45 Kings Terrace, London, NW1 0JR) on the first Saturday of every month from 12pm-7pm.