A new AI chatbot able to provide accurate answers to both ‘basic and complex’ questions about drugs and harm reduction has been launched by Cranstoun.
Drugbot, delivered in partnership with technology-based harm reduction social enterprise Substancy, can give accurate information on issues like safer behaviours, dosage and aftercare, says the charity. The bot has a safety filter which is able to detect any questions that could ‘encourage or assist’ illegal activities such as buying drugs, Cranstoun adds. People are also urged to contact professional drug workers when any ‘particularly risky’ behaviour is identified.
The bot’s responses to more than 20,000 questions were tested as part of its pilot programme, with all the responses rigorously checked by drug service professionals. Drugbot will continue to be improved via user feedback, says Cranstoun, and there are plans to further enhance it with additional features.
The government has previously backed a range of AI-based harm reduction pilot projects, including the use of wearable AI to detect overdoses and alert responders.
‘The Drugbot database draws on a diverse array of trusted sources, from crowdsourced information to insights written by domain experts,’ said Substancy founder Dr Ivan Ezquerra Romano. ‘Each record is rigorously curated and prepared for the AI system. The information is overseen by a dedicated team whose combined decades of experience in the substance use and harm reduction field ensure that every user receives the most accurate, up-to-date guidance to reduce risk and save lives.’
With more and more contaminants appearing in a rapidly changing drug market it was ‘essential that we can reach more people and provide them with accessible information that could save their lives,’ added Cranstoun’s director of services, Megan Jones. ‘We’ve invested and partnered with Substancy to launch this service so we can support people in a unique way – as we know that for many people it can take a lot of confidence to come and speak to someone in one of our drug and alcohol services about their drug and alcohol use. The Drugbot is seeking to break down some of those barriers and will be able to suggest that people do seek in person face-to-face help too.
‘It’s really important that our drug and alcohol services aren’t left behind by the rapidly changing technology landscape, and the ways in which many people communicate. Drugbot will help to provide meaningful drug related education and advice to many people who would struggle to access or talk about their drug use.’
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