At the Sharp End audio testimonies

These audio testimonies are from people who are described by their worker as "being at the end of their drug-using careers." They illustrate the themes of the 'At the Sharp End' report, as they describe their experiences of the health risks involved in intravenous drug use.

All files are in the mp3 format please see instructions below on how to access them.

Track 1

Steve D. Talking about clean kits and the difficulty of finding clean equipment: "I've seen people draw water out of puddles and off windscreen wipers."

Low quality (2.1MB)
High quality (2.8MB)

Track 2

Alan. Giving an insight into chaotic lifestyles that can lead to dangerous behaviour. "What's more on their mind is having that hit".

Low quality (560KB)
High quality (1.1MB)

Track 3

Steve R. Talking about sharing equipment. "If it's not there and then available, people will share the same equipment."

Low quality (1.8MB)
High quality (3.6MB)

Track 4

Mark. Mark contracted Hepatitis C because people used the same water. "I was gobsmacked. You can get cancer of the liver."

Low quality (2.3MB)
High quality (3.1MB)

Track 5

News clips from Steve D, Steve R and Mark

Low quality (1.2MB)
High quality (2.4MB)

How to download these files

Click on the track link you wish to listen to and it will open in your default media player.

If you wish to download the file to your machine, right click on a track link and select Save Target As... the file will begin downloading and you will need to choose a location on your computer to save it. Once downloaded you can play the file using your prefered media player.

Information for media professionals

If you would like these audio clips in CD quality please contact Steve Palmer, Press Officer on 020 7481 7639 or 07786 938601.

Ins and outs, and track durations:

Tr 1: Steve D

IN: "In your packet,…

OUT: do you know what I mean"

DUR: 2'57"

Tr 2: Alan

IN: "I've been accused of ..

OUT: blood-borne viruses etc."

DUR: 43"

Tr 3: Steve R

IN: "Depending on..

OUT: but that's the way it is"

DUR: 2'32"

Tr 4: Mark

IN: "All of us were using …

OUT: a year out of my life"

DUR: 3'17"

Tr 5: Steve D/ Steve R/ Mark

IN: "As drug users..

OUT: used that pot, got it"

DUR: 1'41"