Creating a peer-led guide about drugs interactions and the risks associated

As a harm reduction organization based in Montreal, Canada, AQPSUD main mandate is to publish peer-based tools to prevent overdoses and STIs transmission. Beside a trimestral magazine, one such publication is the Blender, a guide about drugs interactions and the risks associated.

First written and published in 2013 and slightly revised in 2017, the 40 pages pocket-sized guide has since had 30 000 copies distributed in French and English across the province of Quebec, Canada. In 2023, it became apparent that in face of new realities and scientific findings, some of the info were obsolete while other facts lacked depth and nuance.

North America is facing an evolving overdose crisis, with drugs like fentanyl laced with benzos and xylazine (a veterinarian sedative) being now more common than heroin. AQPSUD members and their partners currently believe more than ever that accurate and up to date information should be the cornerstone of drug use; thus, the decision was made to recreate and revamp the whole guide.

With empowerment as a main goal, the Blender aims to vulgarize and teach people who use drugs not only about risky interactions, but how these can be affected by factors like route of administration, bioavailability, cutting agents, etc.

Since the Blender has doubled in size and content, the presentation will go through all five sections: Substances, variants, interactions, overdoses and general advice; and how we included notions of neurology, biology, chemistry and psychology in a way that is comprehensive to neophytes. 

Accompanied by a slide presentation, we will also discuss about the graphic design choices of humor and colors as a metaphor to tuning in on different perceptions.