Photo Credit: MART PRODUCTION
The Loop is set to introduce Birmingham’s first-ever public drug-checking services, with free fortnightly sessions launching across two locations in the city from November 14.
The UK-based harm reduction charity announced the initiative on November 9, confirming that services will operate at BIRCH (Birmingham Integrated Recovery Community Hub) in Digbeth and Lonsdale House in the city centre. The programme is fully funded by Birmingham City Council, following growing concerns around drug-related deaths across the UK.
The services will offer rapid chemical analysis of substances, alongside individual health consultations with trained professionals. Visitors will be asked to surrender a small sample of the substance they wish to have analysed, with The Loop’s chemists conducting tests and health staff providing tailored, non-judgemental advice based on the findings.
The initiative helps identify dangerous substances in the local market. If tests reveal high-strength or contaminated drugs, The Loop will alert the public and local partners to aid harm reduction. CEO Katy Porter states that drug checking provides accurate information via health consultations while improving understanding of local markets to inform public health responses.
The Birmingham launch marks ten years since The Loop introduced the UK’s first public drug-checking services at festivals in 2016. Since then, the organisation has established regular community services, opened the first Home Office-licensed city-centre service in Bristol in 2024, and expanded to Hackney, Camden, and Ealing earlier this year.
