AI Meets Harm Reduction: Drugbot Launches across the UK

A new artificial intelligence chatbot has launched, providing people who use drugs with lifesaving information in what experts say is of an ever-changing and more dangerous drug market.

Drugbot, delivered by the social justice charity Cranstoun, which works with thousands of people who use drugs each year, with technology partners Substancy have launched the free and confidential chat service across the UK to help to reduce the harms caused by drugs to people and communities.

The AI bot can take basic and complex questions about drugs and provide accurate and essential information to ensure that if people are using drugs, that they are reducing the risks to themselves and others.

Director of Services Megan Jones from Cranstoun said: “Whilst we know that not taking drugs is always safer, we know that that is not the reality for many people in our communities.

“This new service will allow people to make more informed choices and ultimately reduce the harms caused by drugs.”

“As we see the drugs market in the UK change rapidly, with availability of illicit substances more available than ever, and with contaminants appearing in a range of drugs, it’s essential that we can reach more people and provide them with accessible information, that could save their lives.”

“We’ve invested and partnered with Substancy to launch this service so we can support people in a unique way – as we know that for many people it can take a lot of confidence to come and speak to someone in one of our drug and alcohol services about their drug and alcohol use.

“The Drugbot is seeking to break down some of those barriers and will be able to suggest that people do seek in person face-to-face help too.

“It’s really important that our drug and alcohol services aren’t left behind by the rapidly changing technology landscape, and the ways in which many people communicate. Drugbot will help to provide meaningful drug related education and advice to many people who would struggle to access or talk about their drug use.”

The bot has undergone rigorous testing as part of a pilot, responding to more than 20,000 questions and developers are pleased with the high levels of accuracy and detailed responses, which have been rigorously checked and assessed by drug services experts.

It can provide information on safety when using drugs, dosage and aftercare, all essential to safer behaviours and reducing the harm of drugs. There are a number of safety measures which have been put in place to ensure the safety of its responses. The bot has a behavioural safety filter in place which detects questions which could encourage or assist illegal activities such as the purchase of drugs and encourages users of the tool to seek clarification and will suggest that people speak to expert drug workers where particularly risky behaviour is identified.

Dr Ivan Ezquerra Romano, Founder of Substancy added: “The Drugbot database draws on a diverse array of trusted sources, from crowdsourced information to insights written by domain experts.

“Each record is rigorously curated and prepared for the AI system. The information is overseen by a dedicated team whose combined decades of experience in the substance use and harm reduction field ensure that every user receives the most accurate, up-to-date guidance to reduce risk and save lives.”

Drugbot will be continuously improved through the feedback from people accessing the service and as it gains access to a greater number of credible sources which will help to shape its responses going forwards. We will also enhance its capabilities with new features.

Drugbot is currently available in the UK, with plans to phase a wider rollout soon. It is for people aged 18 and up and is available at drugbot.cranstoun.org