Who is the drug user activist?: recounting the conceptualisation of drug user activism in the United Kingdom

The British model of harm reduction has been referenced as a pioneering approach to substance use in Europe. While many have described the development of UK drug policy through different governments, few studies have focused on the role that drug user activists played in the UK drug policy reform movement. We examine the different conceptualisations of UK drug user activists in literature, including published academic journals and grey literature (news articles, podcasts, websites and unpublished dissertations). We describe the different conceptualisations of 'the drug user activist' based on chronological periods relevant to drug policy, namely: Pre-Misuse of Drugs Act (1870-1971), Misuse of Drugs Act (1971-1988), Thatcherite and AIDS crisis (1988-1998), New Labour and Internet (1998-2010), and Contemporary (2010 to present).In the 1900s, we see a shift from drug users portrayed as victims coming from privileged backgrounds to middle class people who displayed problematic behaviours. After the passage of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, drug user activists started to organise themselves and deliver education and outreach services. This was further amplified during the AIDS crisis and the Thatcherite era where drug users were involved in developing what later became the model for the public health approach to substance use. Drug user engagement with the government was strengthened during the New Labour government with the formation of the National Treatment Authority. Outside of government, drug users formed alliances which were crucial in ensuring accountability from the government. Upon the abolishment of the NTA, the organisations of drug users weakened. Drug user activists continued their initiatives, albeit on a smaller scale, while trying to rebuild the drug user movement. Further forms of documentation are needed to develop a more holistic historical account of drug user activism in the UK.