The second issue of Buzz, Scotland’s independent magazine by and for people who use drugs, launches today.
Our cover story focuses on the fight to get suitable mental health care alongside drug treatment. The words ‘dual diagnosis’ now fill many with dread, rather than being a step towards getting the support one needs – with people facing bad faith assumptions about drug-seeking behaviour and left in limbo for months at a time.
We also hear from Mike Whitehead, a justice peer support worker who’s using his experience of drug use, drug dealing and prison time to help people in the Borders turn their lives around.
The magazine is steered and produced by a group of people with living experience aiming to counteract sensationalist and inaccurate media coverage of drug-related issues. You can read more about Buzz and its ethos here.
In issue two, our drug trends dashboard features concerns from professionals and from our communities around changing benzos, plus some clarity on recent rumours of contaminated crack.
And we reflect on how difficult the Christmas period can be for people who use substances or are homeless over winter.
You’ll also find news on drug testing facilities for Scotland, a Q&A with the playwright behind a network of drama groups supporting people in recovery, harm reduction resources and plenty more.
Buzz, established earlier this year, is facilitated by Scottish Drugs Forum. It is editorially independent, with decisions, messaging and conclusions – or lack thereof – coming entirely from the peer editorial board assembled from across Scotland and the wider community.
You can read the magazine online or download a PDF via the magazine’s website.
Contact hello@buzz.scot with queries or for information on getting print copies for your organisation.