New: Baselab

Base pipes are often used intensively. So, it is important to have them inspected regularly. Mainline has therefore developed Baselab. During Baselab, we check the user’s base pipe and provide tried and tested tips for harm reduction.

Many marginalised people who use crack (usually referred to as ‘basecoke’ in the Netherlands) develop the lung disease COPD. Our outreach worker Has Cornelissen developed a base coke clinic. By talking about their lungs and improving the base pipe, we can reduce the risk of COPD. This improves the quality of life of the user and saves society healthcare costs. This is how practical harm reduction can be.

During the inspection, our outreach workers address a whole list of things. To name a few:

•    the combustion temperature of the drugs (we carry a digital thermometer to measure this);

•    the quality of the drugs (we can take samples for analysis); 

•   the hygiene of the pipe;

•    the risks of using cigarette ash and how using multiple screens can remedy this (we provide free screens); 

• we clean the pipe on request (we also distribute cleaning products);

• we test the current strength of the lungs with a peak flow meter and open the conversation about lung care;

•    we can replace the tube with a longer one, which makes the inhaled air less hot.

If you want to know more and start your own base lab in your country, just send us a message at info@mainline.nl