We have collected over 80 anonymous testimonies since March 2022 through our story-sharing platform hosted by our partner Drugs and Me. Testimonies were analysed to provide a clearer picture of young people's lived experiences with benzos, which is detailed in our 2022 report. These experiences continue to direct our outreach and harm reduction work.
Who are we?The Benzo Research Project (BRP) is a grassroots small
charity run by young people
volunteering from across the
globe. Although from over 30
different nationalities and
interdisciplinary
backgrounds, we have shared
the desire to improve the
lives of young people who
use benzodiazepines.
Several of our members are
also volunteers with Students
for Sensible Drug Policy
(SSDP). Since July
2021, we have invested
over 5,000 hours voluntarily
into this project.
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What are our aims?Since starting
this project, we
have formed
seven key partnerships
with
stakeholders and
organisations
relevant to our
cause. Knowledge
sharing is
crucial to
improving local
services and
emerging issues.
We also want to
build social
media
relationships to
help grow each
others' accounts
and share
information.
We believe that the growing benzo problem in the UK is under-reported, and young people's voices and experiences aren’t heard in the conversation. We advocate for journalists to write articles that are informed by lived experiences, are unbiased and non-judgemental, so as to not demonise people who use drugs. Public opinion is a significant factor in UK drug policy decisions, making the media an important frontier for driving positive change. Our social media team shares harm reduction and policy-related information on Instagram (@benzoresearchproject), Twitter (@benzoresearch), and TikTok (@benzoresearchproject). We have reached over 60,000 unique Instagram accounts, demonstrating demand for evidence-based harm reduction content tailored to young people. |
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![Seven volunteer members of the Benzo Research Project wearing smart attire sat in a line underneath a projector screen in a lecture theatre. Our Founder stood to the right at the podium presenting to the audience about the project's aims, as shown on the screen.](uploads/1/3/9/0/139000106/custom_themes/134408445896420373/files/images/BRP_Launch_December_2022.jpg)
Quick Stats:
Estimates from a survey conducted
by The Bridge Project suggests that
over 250,000 patients are
being prescribed benzodiazepines and
Z-drugs (BZDs) far beyond
the recommended treatment duration,
presenting a serious public health problem
in the UK.
– Davies, Rae, and Montagu, 2017. |
29.3% of those
having taken a BZD under medical instruction
have also used the same drug
non-medically.
– Kapil et al., 2018. |
LET'S TALK
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We want to hear from you!
Feel free to
reach out regarding
partnerships, events,
sponsorships, conferences,
or
questions.
Email: hello@brp.org.uk |
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