03/12/2025
So… I’m in Worksop today and I’ve just used a Greggs bathroom (so what, sue me), and noticed they’ve installed blue lights, you know, the ones places use to deter drug use.
As your friendly neighbourhood Substance Use Recovery Lead, allow me to say:
This. Does. Not. Help.
In fact, research and lived experience show it can make things more dangerous because people don’t stop using, they just use in riskier ways.
Harder to see veins = higher chance of injury, infection, missed shots, panic, rushing, overdoses…
Not fun.
I get why businesses do it, yknow they think it’s a prevention tool …
but really it’s more of a “hide the problem so we don’t have to understand it” tool.
People don’t stop using because a room is blue.
People stop using (or get safer, supported help) when they feel connected, seen, and not treated like a problem to dim the lights on.
If it really is such a big issue maybe a handy leaflet hung up could help.
At The Recovery Space, we believe in:
💚 Harm reduction
💚 Compassion
💚 Actual support
💚 Warm lighting that doesn’t make you feel like you’re in Avatar
Anyway, shout-out to Greggs for the banging breakfast…
but if anyone wants to talk about real solutions, you know where we are.