Drugs Unwrapped: The Podcast

In this episode, we are joined by Mark Tudor, co-founder of Substancy . Mark has worked in the harm reduction field for over 30 years, but most recently has established Substancy, a social enterprise that aims to develop solutions by combining knowledge about substances with the latest digital technology. Mark takes us through Substancy's journey and their development of multiple digital servi...

We are joined by Sarah, CAVDAS Alliance Manager, to shed light on what trauma-informed practice is and why it matters. Sarah has led Barod's journey towards becoming a trauma-informed organisation and has played a key role in embedding this approach across the delivery of multiple substance use services throughout Wales. Sarah walks us through the different forms of trauma, how this may presen...

In this episode, we are joined by Liberty Musungo, Image and Performance Enhancing Drugs (IPEDs) Lead for Dyfed Drug and Alcohol Service (DDAS). Liberty takes us through what IPEDs are and how they work on the body. We also discuss why people take IPEDs and why injecting them is considered safer than using the substances in tablet or cream forms. We also discuss how people use them, in the form of...

In this Learning at Work Week special, we are joined by Barod's Operations Manager, Sian, to discuss how we can move from being non-stigmatising, to actively challenging and becoming anti-stigma. In this episode we discuss what stigma is and how it often looks within the substance use field. We also highlight the importance for this topic to be on the agenda and frequently discussed. We also d...

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Carrie Hamilton and Michael Wakelyn-Green, from the Green Party Drug Policy Working Group, to explore the party's proposed approach to drug policy. With recent focus on their long-term plan to legalise and regulate all drugs in the UK, we discuss how different drugs would be regulated and how the party would navigate obstacles including contravening UN con...

In this episode, we’re joined by leading neuropsychopharmacologist, Professor David Nutt, for a deep dive into the human brain and its relationship with drugs. We discuss whether our brains are built to consume drugs; whether modern society is changing the brain's neurochemistry and making people more vulnerable to substance use; how benzodiazepines work on the brain; and whether there will ev...

**This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on the 17th February 2026** Our 9th webinar within our Manifesto Sessions webinar series focused on Enhanced Harm Reduction Centres (EHRCs). As part of our ‘Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances’, we want to establish memorandums of understanding to enable the implementation of EHRCs in Wales. A...

In this episode, we are joined by Lucy da Silva, recognised as one of the UK’s 100 most inspiring businesswomen. Lucy is the co-founder and CEO of Silva Wellness in London, which provides ketamine lozenge support for individuals who are experiencing a range of challenges. Lucy talks candidly about how Silva Wellness came about and where her passion comes from when delivering the unique ketamine as...

**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 c...

In this episode, we’re joined by Ollie, who had his bladder removed at just 24 after long-term ketamine use. Now the founder of Ketamine Support Wales , Ollie shares his eight-year journey — from first trying ketamine at a party at 15, to the severe physical pain that eventually led to life-changing surgery. Ollie talks candidly about his ketamine use, from when he first started using it, the expe...

We are joined by Lisa, a trainer within the Gwent N-Gage young person's service, to discuss all things cannabis. Lisa talks us through whether people can become dependent upon cannabis, the use of cali packs, the role of terpenes, and concentrated extracts such as shatter. We also break down the difference between THC and CBD, and look at the unique traits of indica and sativa cannabis plants,...

*This was originally recorded as a webinar on Monday 8th December 2025* Our 7th webinar within our Manifesto Sessions webinar series focused on the specific alcohol exclusion clause within the Equality Act (2010). As part of our ‘Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances’, we want an alcohol-related exclusion clause removed within the Equality Act 20...

When should we start talking to kids about drugs? Why are drugs often a tricky subject for parents and caregivers to talk about with their children? We are joined by Angharad, team leader for the young persons service in Swansea, Choices, and Cath, an engagement worker for the young person's service, Gwent N-Gage, to dissect these questions and more about drugs, education and young people. We...

**This was originally recorded as a webinar on Thursday 6th November 2025** Our 6th webinar within our Manifesto Sessions webinar series focused on young people. As part of our ‘Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances’, we want young people with lived and living experience of substance use to be at the heart of the design and delivery of young pers...

***This was originally recorded as a webinar on Monday 20th October 2025*** Our 5th webinar within our Manifesto Sessions webinar series focused on trauma informed practice. As part of our ‘Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances’, we want all substance use services in Wales to be underpinned by a trauma-informed approach. Research from Public Heal...

Rob and Jamie discuss the recently published drug-related death statistics for England and Wales, that were released on Friday 17th October 2025. Across the two nations, the figure hit records levels again for the 12th consecutive year in a row, while in Wales, fatalities associated to substance use are at their highest levels too. We discuss why this is and what can be done to halt this rise. Key...

In this episode, we are joined by Meg Jones, Director of New Business and Services at Cranstoun. Meg boasts a wealth of experience and expertise within policing, policy, and social justice and was previously Head of Policy for West Midlands Police and Crime Commissioner. Meg discusses all things Drugbot, a new AI harm reduction initiative launched by Cranstoun. Meg explains what Drugbot is and wha...

*This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on the 25th September 2025* The fourth webinar of The Manifesto Sessions, discusses safer inhalation devices (SIDs), often referred to as crack pipes. As part of our ‘Setting the blueprint for a more equal and prosperous Wales for people who use substances’, we want ‘to be able to give out safer inhalation devices to people who use crack cocaine v...

We are joined by Mike, a door supervisor at the Live Lounge in Cardiff, and Anna, the Young Persons Service Manager at Cardiff and the Vale Drug and Alcohol Service (CAVDAS). Mike discusses his experiences of working on the doors at one of Cardiff's busiest night clubs while Anna, sheds light of CAVDAS' harm reduction work in the night time economy. We also discuss ways in which establishm...

*This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on the 1st September 2025* The third webinar of The Manifesto Sessions, discusses the Drug Overdose Good Samaritan Act. Such legislation has been implemented across Canada, and in many states in the US, and can provide legal protection for individuals who experience or witness a suspected drug-related overdose. In this episode, we are joined by Pe...

In this episode, we are joined by Louise Herzog from The Menopause PT and founder of the South Wales Menopause Community (SWMC), discussing her experience of the peri and menopause and how it affected her relationship with alcohol. Louise also discussed her own experience of accessing services, and how things need to be adapted within substance use services, to better support women experiencing th...

*This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on the 17th July 2025* The second webinar of The Manifesto Sessions, discusses the support available for families and loved one's of people who use substances, and what else can be done to ensure better, and more effective services to those affected by other people's substance use. In this episode, we are joined by Mike Blanche, from Gwent Drug an...

*Some listeners may find some of the content in this episode distressing or triggering. Please take care while listening, and be aware this episode is intended for informational and harm reduction purposes* In the second part of this episode, Rob is joined by Sian (Barod's Operations Manager), Katie (DDAS Active Treatment Worker) and Jamie (Barod's Swansea Service Manager). Part 2 of this...

*Some listeners may find some of the content in this episode distressing or triggering. Please take care while listening, and be aware this episode is intended for informational and harm reduction purposes* In this episode, Rob is joined by Sian (Barod's Operations Manager), Katie (DDAS Active Treatment Worker) and Jamie (Barod's Swansea Service Manager). Part 1 of this episode focusing on...

*This episode was originally recorded as a webinar on the 18th June 2025* The first webinar of The Manifesto Sessions, kicks off by discussing why language within the substance use field is important. In this episode, Rob Barker, Barod's Campaigns and Communications Lead, discusses the process of working with people with lived and living experience of substance use that has led to the publicat...