The Loop

Tonight we’re going back to where it all began - at The Warehouse Project in #Manchester.

We’ll be testing substances that have been confiscated, surrendered or found & if we find anything concerning or unusual, we’ll share alerts on socials.

#HarmReduction #ActionBeforeOverdose #GoSlowStayLow

Blurred white textured background with The Loop Training logo in the bottom right corner, and Training in the top left. Text reads: Work in Nightlife? Learn how to spot risks and reduce drug harm.

text on white background reading: RESPONDING TO DRUG USE IN THE NIGHTTIME ECONOMY This is a one-day training delivered online by The Loop. Learn: why people take drugs, drug policy and legislation, the latest UK drug trends, how to spot risks and reduce harm, practical ways to respond to incidents, from spiking to overdoses.

Text reading: When? Thursday 25th September 2025, 09:30-16:30 BST Where? Online How much? £59 Who is this for? Anyone working in the nighttime sector i.e. event management, medical staff, security, promoters, dj's and musicians - and anyone else who wants to learn!

📅 One-day interactive training
👥 For anyone working in the nighttime economy
🔗 Book now: www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/responding...

Come along to learn more about drug risks and how to reduce drug harm.

New research estimates opioid deaths are 50% higher than thought.

Official statistics underestimate DRDs due to limited toxicology on polydrug use.

Universal #drugchecking is needed now more than ever to monitor markets & identify high risk substances.

www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...

♾Join us online for "Ketamine: A Deep Dive"
📅Tue 16 Sept | 18:00–21:30 BST
Explore medical uses, cultural context, UK data & harm reduction approaches. For professionals in health, education, services & more.
🎟️ www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/ketamine-a...
#DrugChecking #HarmReduction #TheLoop

Have you seen a drug alert online?
Take part in a @livuninews.bsky.social study (in collaboration with us) to learn how people use them & how they could be improved.

💻 Join a 90-min online focus group
📅 Mon 15 Sept
🔗 Register: app.onlinesurveys.jisc.ac.uk/s/liverpool/...

Today is #IOAD2025 👇
♾ Almost 5.5k drug deaths in 2023 (record high)
♾ 46% involved opiates
♾ MDMA deaths up 55% from last year
Drug checking helps by identifying substances of concern before consumption.

#ActionBeforeOverdose

Please donate to: wearetheloop.org/test-and-know

Don't forget - this Saturday we’re in Bristol city centre with our free, anonymous drug checking service. Surrender a substance, get it tested, and receive tailored harm reduction advice. Independent, licensed, here to reduce drug harms. #ActionBeforeOverdose #IOAD2025

There is still time to book onto our half-day online course on #nitazenes happening tomorrow:
www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nitazenes-...

On Saturday we are in Bristol with our drug checking service.

🕑30.08.25 - 12-7pm
📍Bristol Drugs Project, 11 Brunswick Square, BS2 8PE

It is free, anonymous, fast, and non-judgmental.

#IOAD2025 #OverdoseAware #EndOverdose #ActionBeforeOverdose #DrugTesting #DrugChecking

Image of Loop volunteer testing Ketamine on FTIR.

Our Loop chemists have tested over 500 samples so far at Lost Village and have not detected any nitazenes or xylazine.

General trend from our testing shows that ketamine is typically of high strength & unadulterated, therefore extra consideration is required in dosing.

This weekend at Lost Village we’re testing confiscated/found drugs & urgent samples from medics. Findings help spot trends & keep people safe. Alerts shared here & on the LV app – please spread the word.

Great to see support for drug testing at all festivals in today's papers. Every drug death is potentially preventable. Let's make that a reality.

www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news...

🚨 Training alert: Nitazenes – A Deep Dive 🚨

Learn about history, market trends, risks & harm reduction approaches for these potent synthetic opioids.

🕒 13:00 - 16:30 BST
📆 Thursday 28th August 2025
📍Online
🎟️https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/nitazenes-a-deep-dive-tickets-1318832346049

Congratulations to our Boomtown partners on their 35th birthday - a key inspiration for The Loop & for our transfer of FTIR technology to onsite drug testing for #harmreduction purposes.
Now used by #drugchecking services all around the world.
🙌🙌🙌

Image of some happy Loop volunteers in front of our tent

The Loop are here at Boomtown this week! Come and find our harm reduction team Downtown in Pepperpot Pass for anonymous, non-judgemental information about drugs including alcohol.
We are open 12-6pm every day.
what3words: stunts.relief.slogans
#goslowstaylow

Panorama - Britain’s Ketamine Crisis Why are so many people taking ketamine? Hazel Martin talks to users, those being treated in detox and rehab, and doctors being inundated by young patients in need of help.

Watch The Loop's mobile lab in action tonight on BBC One at 8pm. If you support what we do, pleas consider a donation to our Test&Know campaign:
🌐 wearetheloop.org/test-and-know

📺 www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/epis...

Episode 63 now dropped! We talk to Fiona Measham from @theloopuk.bsky.social about drug testing at UK festivals to prevent tragic deaths. And of course we talk resident doctors strikes as five days of action begin tomorrow.
Listen > linktr.ee/PITNCpodcast

The Loop drug checking service is back in Bristol city centre this weekend!

📅Sat 28 June - 12-7pm
📍Bristol Drugs Project, 11 Brunswick Square, BS2 8PE

Our service is free, anonymous, fast, and non-judgmental. #DrugChecking #DrugTesting #HarmReduction #Bristol

Some years ago I met an amazing team from @theloopuk.bsky.social who work to reduce drug-related harm - including at festivals. This week we talk to their founder about how they're getting on. Episode will drop on Thursday >>>

If you have a question, please DM us or email podcast@stevebrine.com

We’re aiming to raise £25,000 to help us:
- Boost our capacity
- Fund another mobile lab
- Expand #DrugTesting and #DrugChecking across the UK
wearetheloop.org/test-and-know

At Parklife this summer, some #MDMA pills tested at over 3x an adult dose.

We issued a public alert to share the risks. That's what your donation powers.
wearetheloop.org/test-and-know

We are asking you to give £12, the cost of completing tests on one substance in our mobile lab.

Donate the cost of one test and pay it forward.
wearetheloop.org/test-and-know

One test could save a life, and with your support, we can test at more events and bring our vital services to more communities across the UK.
wearetheloop.org/test-and-know
#HarmReduction #DrugChecking #DrugTesting

We have launched Test & Know, our fundraising campaign to help us expand our testing across the UK. We are asking for a donation of £12 - the cost of testing one substance in our mobile labs.

wearetheloop.org/test-and-know

⚠️There is still time to book in for our next training event, this coming Tuesday. Find out all you need to know about the UK Drug Market in 2025. Book your place by following the link in the post below 👇

Don’t leave your mates in a state.

Looking out for each other at festivals and clubs isn’t just about safety, it’s about care, consent and community.

For more advice & resources: wearetheloop.org/resources

#DontLeaveYourMatesInAState #HarmReduction

Fantastic article from @wonkhe.bsky.social about the importance of a harm reduction approach in keeping students safer. Thanks for the support!

UK Drug Market in 2025: Latest Findings from Testing & Current Trends This training takes a factual and evidence-based look at emerging trends/patterns in the drugs market, reflecting on the first half of 2025

Stay ahead of the latest drug trends in 2025.
Join The Loop’s online evening training on the UK drug market - mis-sales, purity, synthetic opioids & more.

📅 22 July 2025
🕧 18:30 - 21:30

Sign up now 👉 www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/uk-drug-ma...

#DrugChecking #DrugTesting #HarmReduction

🌞Hot weather + 💊drugs = higher risk of dehydration, overheating & illness.
- Sip water (+ salt/sugar)
- Seek shade & wear sunscreen
- #GoSlowStayLow
- Know early signs of heat illness & seek help early

#HarmReduction #JustSayKnow

There's still time to book onto our online training session on #Chemsex happening on Friday.
📅Friday 11 July
🕐13:00 - 16:30
Sign up now: eventbrite.co.uk/e/drugs-sex-... #HarmReduction #SexualHealth #ProfessionalTraining #TheLoop