​The event, which took place at the Boiler Shop, Newcastle on Wednesday 17 June, was organised by Newcastle City Council and supported by a Newcastle University research project - 'Chemsex in Newcastle', led by Dr Karenza Moore (pictured above, right), with Research Assistant, Charlie Roberts (pictured above, left).  

Following a strong turnout and engagement from practitioners across the region, such as Durham and Sunderland, the project scope will now be extended to include the whole of North East England, not just Newcastle.  

Sharing knowledge and best practice for public health and safety 

Coordinated between the regional Drug and Alcohol Commissioners, Sexual Health and Mental Health networks, the aim of the event was to bring together a range of partners to explore best practice, and learn from other regions, including London and Greater Manchester. 

The event welcomed a range of speakers, including people with lived experience, local authorities, practitioners, clinicians, and service providers, to explore the health, behavioural, and social factors surrounding chemsex. 

Delegates examined evidence-based insights into risks, harm reduction approaches, and the impact on health. Through expert-led sessions and cross-sector collaboration, the conference strengthened professional understanding in order to improve service responses for individuals engaged in chemsex. 

About the project 

'Chemsex in Newcastle' is a collaborative social research project which focuses on the Chemsex scene in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. It aims to address a gap in knowledge and understanding, specifically around (drug) prevalence, and the people and places that make up the scene. 

The goal of the project is to generate robust and clearly focused data to build a picture of Chemsex  from the perspectives of the people involved. Project data is produced in collaboration with Newcastle City Council, services and the city's LGBTQ+ community. 

The project is funded by Newcastle City Council and runs until the end of August 2026. 

Kellie Wilson, Public Health Practitioner with Newcastle City Council co-organised the event and said:  

'Chemsex in Newcastle [project] tackles an important issue because it highlights the need for compassionate, person-centred support that meets people where they are, without judgement.  

For some individuals, chemsex can be linked to coping with loneliness, stigma, or mental health challenges, and may lead to patterns of use that feel difficult to control or impact wellbeing, relationships, and daily life. Addressing this issue locally through research and learning events is about ensuring people in the city can access safe, inclusive, and culturally competent services - whether that's harm reduction advice, mental health support, or specialist substance use care.  

By strengthening support pathways and reducing stigma, Chemsex in Newcastle can help people feel more able to seek help early, build resilience, and improve their overall wellbeing, while fostering a healthier and more supportive community. 

Dr Karenza Moore, Reader in Sociology at Newcastle University, and Principal Investigator for the 'Chemsex in Newcastle' project added: 

'This project aims to address a gap in knowledge by generating data to understand the needs of some people who may be at risk of harm because of their participation in Chemsex. We cannot support people without building a clear and informed picture of the landscape, which is why this event was so crucial.  

The event was a shared space to welcome, inform and learn from each other. This type of engagement can only enhance our research, and it was brilliant to welcome such a variety of audiences who all have an interest in improving services for our community'.