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 experiences while under the influence, to when he first started noticing warning signs of his prolonged use.

Ollie also discusses how and why he set up Ketamine Support Wales and what advice he would give to others who are thinking about, or already using, ketamine.

You can follow Ketamine Support Wales on Instagram: @ketamine_support_wales and Ollie on TikTok: @oliver.westallIf you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066.Contents of the video:00:00 Highlights of the episode

01:00 Introduction

01:53 Start of Ollie's ketamine journey

04:24 Initial perceptions and knowledge of ketamine

08:51 K-holes

10:29 Ketamine cramps

16:47 Incontinence

18:27 Realisation something needed to change

29:10 Ketamine Support Wales

33:59 Advice to others

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, and how each influences the effects a person might experience. There’s also a look at the good and not-so-good effects cannabis can have, along with some insight into people’s experiences of Amsterdam.

If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234 or text DAN to 81066.

Contents of the video:

00:00 Highlights of the episode

00:36 Introduction

03:08 Why is cannabis popular?

05:16 What is cannabis?

08:30 Is CBD any good?

11:10 Role of terpenes

15:23 Access to medical cannabis

17:00 THC and different cannabis plants

25:24 People seeking support for cannabis

30:28 Can you become dependent on cannabis?

39:05 Cali packs

48:16 Concentrated extracts

52:28 THC Vapes

56:27 Harm reduction

*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 2010. The Equality Act 2010 is legislation that legally protects people from discrimination, both in the workplace and in wider society.

However, it does not protect people with alcohol dependency. Within the Act it specifically excludes alcohol, noting ‘addiction to alcohol, nicotine or any other substance is to be treated as not amounting to an impairment for the purposes of the Act.’ Compared to international counterparts including Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the United States, the UK stands alone with its alcohol dependence exclusion stance within discrimination law.

Our speakers were:

Ailar Hashemzadeh (Director of Research and Public Affairs, Alcohol Change)

Dr. Sarah Wadd (Senior Researcher, University of Bedfordshire)

Contents of the video:

00:00 Introduction

02:01 Ailar Hashemzadeh

20:40 Dr. Sarah Wadd

42:40 Q&A

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 also discuss what drug education looks like and how it differs across age groups, as well as what tricks of the trade are utilised to maximise engagement with young people when raising awareness of substance use. Additionally, we explore what the risks are of not talking to children and young people about substance use, as well as who else can play a critical role in the drug education journey. If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.

**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 person’s services. When young people are part of this process, the evidence suggest it has enabled young people to develop a wide range of new skills in communication, leadership, and professionalism, as well as highlighting how youth involvement in the co-designing and co-delivery of services aimed at this age group can improve and ensure relevance, credibility, and quality.

By involving young people in such processes allows for the design and delivery of a service to ensure as many barriers to accessing support are identified and mitigated against, as well as ensuring that the service mitigates the feelings of being unworthy of support, especially at the prevention and early intervention stage.

If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.

***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 Health Wales (PHW) in 2015 found that 47% of adults in Wales have suffered at least one Adverse Childhood Experience (ACE). And there are many other adversities that people can experience during their lives including racism, discrimination, and structural inequalities. Therefore, we all need to understand and talk about ACEs and trauma.Subsequently, given the widespread occurrences of trauma and the respective impacts it can have on individuals, it is vital that an approach underpins the delivery of services allowing for opportunities and paths for healing and overcoming such experiences, while not retraumatising via behaviours and interactions, and consequently promoting positive life chances for people.Our speakers were:Sarah Walsh (CAVDAS)Rachel Wilson (DDAS/ Choices West)Emma Howells (Choices West)

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 figures from the data:

• A total of 5,565 people lost their lives in England and Wales in 2024 due to drug poisoning.
• In Wales, a total of 417 deaths related to drug poisoning were registered in 2024.
• Across England and Wales, there were 1,279 deaths associated to cocaine in 2024. This represents a 14.4% increase from 2023 and is the 13th consecutive annual rise of deaths associated to cocaine.

• In Wales, a total of 79 people lost their lives relating to cocaine use in 2024. This is a 21.5% increase from 2023 and represents a 1028% over the last 11 years.
• Almost half of all drug-poisoning deaths across England and Wales, involve an opiate. A total of 2,621 drug-poisoning deaths involved opiates; this is 2.7% higher compared 2023.
• In Wales, deaths associated to any opiate increased from 166 in 2023 to 196 in 2024. This represents an increase of 18% of people losing their lives associated to opiate use in the last 12 months.

• In Wales, there has also been a sharp rise in fatalities associated to benzodiazepines. There was a total of 83 benzodiazepine-related deaths, an increase from 67 in 2023.

If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.

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 what led to its development as well as what people can expect from this new service. We also discuss the challenges people have faced in accessing evidenced-based, factual information regarding substance use and how digital innovation is playing a critical role in filling in the gaps. You can check out Drugbot by clicking here.

If you have been affected by the issues discussed in this episode, please visit barod.cymru and confidentially chat to a trained support worker via Barod's Live Webchat Service, that is open 7-days a week, or call Dan 24/7, Wales' national drug and alcohol helpline on 0808 808 2234.