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Ben Scher

@ben-scher.bsky.social
223 followers 238 following 36 posts

Lecturer/Postdoc in Global Health @Princeton Center for Health and Wellbeing | Research Affiliate @DSPI_Oxford | Drug Policy, Harm Reduction, OPCs, Low-Barrier Housing

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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Benefits and barriers: a rapid-ethnographic study on the perspectives of potential and actual clients of Athens’ drug consumption room - Harm Reduction Journal
Background In April 2022, a new Drug Consumption Room (DCR) opened in Athens’ city centre. To date, no qualitative research has evaluated the operational strengths and weaknesses of the site from the ...
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
If you have any questions or feedback about our work, please feel free to reach out!
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
A huge thank you to co-authors @gwshorter.bsky.social, Nikos Poulopoulos, Christos Anastasiou, @bchrisinger.bsky.social and David Humphreys who supported this project. Also, to OKANA who generously facilitated this research.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
We hope this paper contributes to ongoing conversations about how harm reduction services can best prevent and respond to overdose as well as help connect individuals to broader health, social, drug treatment and housing services.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
The paper reflects on the facility’s important strengths, as well as some of the practical and contextual challenges that shape access and experience in medicalised service settings.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 29/01/2026
Delighted to share the final paper from my PhD which explores how Athens’ Drug Consumption Facility operates and is experienced by people in the local community. lnkd.in/eVymq_kH
lnkd.in
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 08/12/2025
How and why consensus fractured at the 2024 session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs: an exploratory study of international drug policy constellations using social network analysis and qualitative comparative analysis. @deppjournal.bsky.social www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.... £0 #OA
tandfonline.com
How and why consensus fractured at the 2024 session of the UN Commission on narcotic drugs: an exploratory study of international drug policy constellations using social network analysis and qualitati...
Consensus in international drug policy has fractured. It would be useful to explain how and why this occurred.This exploratory study develops and tests theory and methods for describing and explain...
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Center for Health and Wellbeing at Princeton University @princetonchw.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
Princeton Professor and CHW affiliate @heatherhhoward.bsky.social has been invited to co-chair Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill's Action Team focused on affordable health care. Howard will lead the committee with @chiquitabl.bsky.social '96, Fmr. CMS Administrator. tinyurl.com/597tnztf
Heather Howard and New Jersey capitol building
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Oxford Social Policy and Intervention @dspi-oxford.bsky.social · 03/12/2025
New research led by @deannagiraldi.bsky.social finds that impacts of gun violence extend far beyond dominant news statistics. The review analyses 25 years of literature involving survivors, witnesses & their communities. More: dspi.web.ox.ac.uk/article/impa... Full report: doi.org/10.1016/j.la...
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Link: link.springer.com/article/10.1...
link.springer.com
Characterizing ‘Atmosphere’: exploring determinants of regular service attendance amongst integrated supervised consumption site clients in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside - Harm Reduction Journal
Background Research has explored barriers and facilitators to supervised consumption sites (SCS) in Canadian settings. Despite this, little is known about what factors drive individuals to initiate an...
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 30/11/2025
Excited to share a new paper out in HRJ where we explore the concept of ‘atmosphere’ within SCS spaces and how it influences service engagement. A huge thanks to my co-authors @bchrisinger.bsky.social, @gwshorter.bsky.social and @dkhumphreys.bsky.social for their support and guidance on this work.
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Ben Chrisinger @bchrisinger.bsky.social · 20/11/2025
Twelve states will be adding new food restrictions to SNAP next year. I unpack these policies in some new research in Health Affairs Scholar (open access). tl;dr - wide range in food definitions, justifications for restriction, and plans to evaluate. 🥗 🛟 📊🩺
doi.org
Characteristics of State Waivers to Establish Nutritional Restrictions in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
AbstractIntroduction. States have previously requested permission from the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to implement food item restrictions within t
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Center for Health and Wellbeing at Princeton University @princetonchw.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
In a recent interview, Postdoctoral Research Associate @ben-scher.bsky.social shares the crux of his research exploring health inequalities, social exclusion, and drug policy, along with his plans for advancing this work at and beyond Princeton. tinyurl.com/2feh6kah
tinyurl.com
Ben Scher Tackles Health Inequalities and Drug-Related Harm
In a recent interview, Postdoctoral Research Associate Ben Scher shares the crux of his research and plans for advancing this work at and beyond Princeton
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
Thank you to @correlationnet.bsky.social for supporting this special issue!
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
The collection brings together diverse perspectives on harm reduction across Europe, from policy shifts to lived experience. You can explore all articles here: www.biomedcentral.com/collections/...
biomedcentral.com
Harm Reduction in Europe: Histories, Choices and Hopes
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
I’m glad to share a new article published as part of HRJ’s special collection: "Harm Reduction in Europe: Histories, Choices and Hopes." link.springer.com/article/10.1... @gwshorter.bsky.social @dkhumphreys.bsky.social @bchrisinger.bsky.social 1/2
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Health and Social Care Workforce Research Unit @hscwru.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
New in the Homelessness series Harm Reduction and Belonging in the Provision of Homelessness Services 12 November 2025 10:00 to 11:00 Online. All welcome. with @ben-scher.bsky.social www.kcl.ac.uk/events/harm-...
kcl.ac.uk
Harm Reduction and Belonging in the Provision of Homelessness Services | King's College London
Ben Scher
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Elaine Hyshka @ehyshka.bsky.social · 20/08/2025
This story is interesting, not just because of the Minister's bad faith claims, but also because it illustrates how cities are left to pick up the pieces when provinces play politics with SCS. #harmreduction www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/artic...
ctvnews.ca
Crime rate around Somerset supervised consumption site lower than government suggested when announcing closure
The crime rate around the Somerset West Community Health Centre did not rise to the figures put forward by the provincial government last year when announcing the closure of its supervised consumption...
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 20/07/2025
Look forward to listening Mat
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Yale Program in Addiction Medicine @yaleadm.bsky.social · 17/07/2025
✨Job Alert ✨ The Division of Prevention and Community Research, Department of Psychiatry, @yaleschoolofmed.bsky.social, invites applications for a two-year NIDA-funded T32 postdoctoral training program in substance use prevention research. medicine.yale.edu/psychiatry/p...
medicine.yale.edu
Division of Prevention and Community Research and The Consultation Center
The Division of Prevention and Community Research, Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine invites applications for a two-year NIDA-funded T32
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Oxford Social Policy and Intervention @dspi-oxford.bsky.social · 10/07/2025
Congratulations @neftalememanuel.bsky.social, winner of the 2025 Barnett Prize for his paper: ‘Damp Places, Unhappy Faces: Analysing the Impact of Housing Repairs & Maintenance Expenditure on Local Authority Residents Wellbeing in England between 2013-2022’ 👏 www.spi.ox.ac.uk/article/barn...
spi.ox.ac.uk
Barnett Prize winner 2025: Neftalem Emanuel
We are delighted to announce this year's Barnett Prize winner, Neftalem Emanuel, for his outstanding contribution to evidence-based social intervention and policy evaluation.
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Society for the Study of Addiction @addiction-ssa.org · 29/05/2025
Congratulations Ben!! We look forward to seeing what you do next in your career.
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Amiya Bhatia @amiyabhatia.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Come and work with us at @dspi-oxford.bsky.social as a Departmental Lecturer. Role involves teaching qualitative and mixed methods and intervention and evaluation design with time and support to develop your own lines of research. Apply by June 13th: www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DNF076/d...
jobs.ac.uk
Departmental Lecturer at University of Oxford
Apply for the Departmental Lecturer role on jobs.ac.uk, the top job board for academic positions in higher education. View details and apply now.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
Thank you Zoe! I hope you’re well
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
As well as all the collaborators on my project: @matsouthwell.bsky.social @profalexstevens.bsky.social @pwud-pride.bsky.social + Nikos Poulopoulos and Christos Anastasiou. Finally to all my peers at DSPI who made the past 3.5 years so special and for whom I am so grateful. 4/4
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
A huge thank you to @robcalder.bsky.social and the Society for the Study of Addiction whos steadfast support throughout the entirety of my PhD greatly enhanced my doctoral experience. 3/4
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
I’d also like to say a huge thank you to my assessors @amiyabhatia.bsky.social and Dr Andrew Ivsins who pushed me whilst making the viva such an enjoyable experience. 2/4
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
I’m over the moon to share that yesterday I completed my DPhil @dspi-oxford.bsky.social 🎉 There are so many thank yous, but firstly to my amazing and unbelievably supportive supervisors @gwshorter.bsky.social @bchrisinger.bsky.social @dkhumphreys.bsky.social 1/4
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Ben Chrisinger @bchrisinger.bsky.social · 20/05/2025
🚨 Proud supervisor alert 🚨 One my 1st PhD students just passed his viva! Give @ben-scher.bsky.social a follow for rigorous qualitative + participant-centered #HarmReduction research. s/o to amazing co-sup team @gwshorter.bsky.social @dkhumphreys.bsky.social @dspi-oxford.bsky.social 🛟 #academicsky
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Transform Drug Policy Foundation @transformdrugs.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
Glasgow's supervised drug consumption facility was accessed 2,691 times in its first 4 months, with 30 medical emergencies attended too There's huge unmet nationwide demand for SDCF/OPCs, proven to reduce harm, save lives & facilitate service access pharmaceutical-journal.com/article/news... 1/
pharmaceutical-journal.com
UK’s first safer drug consumption facility accessed more than 2,500 times in first four months, data show
The UK’s first safer drug consumption facility (SDCF) in Glasgow has been accessed 2,691 times during the four months it has been open, according to data published by the Glasgow City Health and Socia...
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International Journal of Drug Policy @ijdrugpolicy.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
“Exploring the need for overdose prevention centers in England: A qualitative community-based participatory study on the perspectives of people who use drugs in public and semi-public environments” by @ben-scher.bsky.social et al (2025) via IJDP. Link: www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
People involved in street-based drug use need places of safety, away from police and public gaze, where they don't have to rush.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Please get in touch if you have any comments or feedback!
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
•An OPC was seen to offer protection from police-related trauma. •An OPC was viewed as a solution to improve community relations by reducing drug-related litter. •The views of people who use drugs should be prioritized by policymakers when considering the implementation of OPCs.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Highlights: •Threat of public and police interaction leads to rushed injection practices and increased risk of injection-related harms. •An overdose prevention centre (OPC) was seen to reduce injecting risks and drug-related deaths.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
A huge thank you to co-authors @matsouthwell.bsky.social @pwud-pride.bsky.social @profalexstevens.bsky.social @bchrisinger.bsky.social @dkhumphreys.bsky.social @gwshorter.bsky.social for all their help with the research and writing process.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Very excited to share our new paper in @ijdrugpolicy.bsky.social 🎉 In this paper we look at experiences of people who use drugs in public and semi public drug consumption environments and the need for OPCs in England.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Would love to hear your thoughts if you have comments or feedback!
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
•An OPC was seen to offer protection from police-related trauma. •An OPC was viewed as a solution to improve community relations by reducing drug-related litter. •The views of people who use drugs should be prioritized by policymakers when considering the implementation of OPCs.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
Highlights: •Threat of public and police interaction leads to rushed injection practices and increased risk of injection-related harms. •An overdose prevention centre (OPC) was seen to reduce injecting risks and drug-related deaths.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 05/05/2025
A huge thank you to co-authors @matsouthwell.bsky.social @pwud-pride.bsky.social @profalexstevens.bsky.social @bchrisinger.bsky.social @dkhumphreys.bsky.social @gwshorter.bsky.social for all the support throughout the research and writing process.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
www.wolfson.ox.ac.uk/event/from-s...
wolfson.ox.ac.uk
From Street to Safety: Exploring the How and Why of Overdose Prevention Centres - Wolfson College
Dr. Gillian Shorter is a leading researcher in drug policy, whose work has significantly advanced the empirical and policy understanding of overdose prevention centres (OPCs). Her contributions includ...
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 01/05/2025
First and final in person supervision with @dkhumphreys.bsky.social and @gwshorter.bsky.social, just missing @bchrisinger.bsky.social…come check out Gillian’s talk at Wolfson tonight if you’re in the Oxford area, link 👇
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Dr. Deanna Giraldi, MPH @deannagiraldi.bsky.social · 19/04/2025
Excited to share my first #PhD paper, now published in @lancetrh-americ.bsky.social 📝 #scopingreview #gunviolence Read more: kwnsfk27.r.eu-west-1.awstrack.me/L0/https://a...
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 15/04/2025
If you are in the Oxford area and interested in drug policy, come catch @gwshorter.bsky.social who will be giving a guest lecture on the evidence-base surrounding overdose prevention centres 🎉 🗓️ Thursday 1st of May ⏰ 6pm-7pm 📍Wolfson College www.wolfson.ox.ac.uk/event/from-s...
wolfson.ox.ac.uk
From Street to Safety: Exploring the How and Why of Overdose Prevention Centres - Wolfson College
Dr. Gillian Shorter is a leading researcher in drug policy, whose work has significantly advanced the empirical and policy understanding of overdose prevention centres (OPCs). Her contributions includ...
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Rob Calder @robcalder.bsky.social · 09/04/2025
Great interview Ben! It's wonderful to see @ssa-addiction.bsky.social funded PhD students talk about the importance of the evidence base, providing informed thought and responding so generously to curiosity about such a complex area.
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Kim Sue, MD, PhD @drkimsue.bsky.social · 07/04/2025
yaledailynews.com/blog/2025/04...
yaledailynews.com
How overdose prevention centers can change the game in the fight against the opioid epidemic
The Public Health Committee of the state legislature is advancing a bill proposal that could establish opioid overdose prevention centers by 2026.
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
🎥: m.youtube.com/watch?v=yLfd...
m.youtube.com
The War on Drugs - A Failed Story
YouTube video by Human Condition
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Ben Scher @ben-scher.bsky.social · 08/04/2025
Is the UK shifting its approach to drug policy? Why is drug policy more important than ever in today's geopolitics? What does global evidence say about OPCs? It was great to join Sam Lewis from the Human Condition Podcast to discuss these questions...check out our full discussion below 👇
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Alex Stevens @profalexstevens.bsky.social · 20/03/2025
Just out in #HarmReductionJournal: another article from our realist review of international evidence on overdose prevention centres (AKA drug consumption rooms, supervised injecting facilities), showing how and for whom they work #harmreduction #OPCPrep 1/7 links.springernature.com/f/a/hWOfNJIE...
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