Safer Sniffing Practices Guide

Introduction

This guide provides essential tips and practices for safer sniffing to help minimize health risks associated with nasal drug use. Our aim is to support your choices with information that enhances safety and health.

Before You Sniff

• Clean Your Space: Always use a clean, non-porous surface when preparing substances. This reduces the risk of contamination and infection.
• Personal Supplies: Use your own snorting implements, such as straws or nasal tubes. Never share your equipment to avoid the transmission of viruses like hepatitis C and HIV.

Safe Sniffing Equipment

• Use Clean Straws: Always use a new straw or purchase disposable nasal tubes designed for single use. After using, dispose of these items responsibly.
• Avoid Sharing: Sharing straws or tubes can lead to the spread of infections. Personal equipment ensures you are not exposed to others’ bodily fluids.

During Sniffing

• Gentle Inhalation: Snort gently to avoid damaging the delicate lining of your nasal passages, which can increase susceptibility to infections.
• Alternate Nostrils: Switch between your nostrils when snorting. This practice helps prevent damage and irritation to the nasal lining and allows for better healing.

Health Tips

• Nasal Care: After sniffing, use saline sprays or neti pots to cleanse your nasal passages. This helps in removing residual particles and maintains moisture.
• Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water to keep mucosal membranes moist, which is crucial for their protective barrier function.

Recognizing Complications

• Be Observant: Watch for signs of complications such as frequent nosebleeds, ongoing nasal congestion, or unusual nasal discharge.
• Seek Medical Help: If you experience persistent issues or signs of infection, consult a healthcare provider for advice and treatment.

Know Your Rights

• Legal Awareness: Educate yourself about local laws regarding drug use and possession. Understanding your rights can protect you in interactions with law enforcement.
• Safe Spaces: Familiarize yourself with local harm reduction services where you can access support and supplies without judgment.

Support and Resources

• Find Help Locally: Seek out local harm reduction programs, which can provide sterile sniffing equipment and additional resources.
• Community Support: Engage with online forums or local support groups that focus on harm reduction and safe use practices.

Your safety and health are important. Making informed choices about how you use substances can significantly reduce risks and improve your well-being. We encourage you to utilize this guide to protect yourself and others.

Safe Injection Practices Guide

Introduction

This guide provides critical information and best practices for individuals who inject drugs. The goal is to minimize health risks such as infections and overdoses while promoting safer injection practices.

Before You Inject

• Prepare a Clean Area: Always use a clean, sanitized surface to lay out your injection supplies.
• Wash Your Hands: Before handling any injection equipment, thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water to reduce the risk of infection.

Safe Injection Equipment

• Sterile Needles and Syringes: Use a new, sterile needle and syringe for each injection. Never share your injection equipment with others.
• Sterile Water: Use sterile water for injection. If unavailable, boil tap water for at least five minutes and let it cool before use.
• Alcohol Swabs: Clean the injection site with an alcohol swab before injecting to prevent infections.
• Proper Disposal: Safely dispose of needles, syringes, and other injection equipment in a sharps container or other hard-plastic, puncture-resistant container.

During Injection

• Vein Care: Rotate your injection sites to prevent damage to veins and surrounding tissue.
• Avoid Reusing: Do not reuse or share needles or syringes. Reusing needles can dull the needle tip, increasing pain and damage to veins.
• Injecting Technique: Inject slowly and carefully. If you miss the vein, pull out and apply pressure to the site, then try again with a new needle.

Post-Injection Care

• Manage Bleeding: After injecting, apply pressure to the site with a clean tissue or cloth until bleeding stops.
• Bandage if Necessary: Use a sterile bandage if there are signs of bleeding or open wounds.
• Hygiene and Healing: Keep the injection site clean and monitor for signs of infection like redness, swelling, or pain.

Recognizing and Responding to Overdose

• Overdose Signs: Look for signs of overdose such as shallow breathing, limp body, pale or clammy skin, and inability to wake up or respond.
• Naloxone: Always have naloxone on hand. Know how to use it and make sure those around you do as well.
• Seek Immediate Help: Call emergency services if you suspect an overdose. Stay with the person until help arrives.

Health Maintenance

• Regular Check-Ups: Regularly visit a healthcare provider to check for infections and receive vaccinations against Hepatitis A, B, and Tetanus.
• Hydration and Nutrition: Maintain a balanced diet and stay hydrated to support overall health.

Legal and Safe Disposal

• Understand the Law: Be aware of local laws regarding drug use and possession, as well as needle disposal regulations.
• Safe Disposal Sites: Use designated needle disposal sites or services to dispose of used needles safely.

Practicing safe injection is crucial for your health and the safety of others. By following these guidelines, you can help prevent infections, transmission of diseases, and other complications associated with injection drug use.

Safe Smoking Practices Guide

Introduction

This guide is designed to promote safer smoking practices The goal is to minimize health risks associated with smoking these substances, which can include severe respiratory issues, infections, and other serious health complications.

Before You Smoke

• Clean Your Space: Ensure the area is clean and free of flammable materials. Good ventilation is crucial to avoid inhaling concentrated smoke.
• Personal Equipment: Use your own smoking devices such as pipes or foils. Avoid sharing with others to prevent the transmission of diseases.

Choosing and Preparing Equipment

• Opt for Appropriate Materials: Use materials suitable for the substance being smoked. Glass pipes or foils are often preferred for their ability to handle high temperatures without releasing toxins.
• Regular Maintenance: Clean your equipment thoroughly before and after each use with appropriate cleaning solutions to avoid residue buildup, which can alter the chemical composition of the smoke and increase health risks.
• Use of Filters: If applicable, use filters to minimize the inhalation of particulate matter. Ensure filters are suitable for the type of substance being smoked.

During Smoking

• Controlled Inhalation: Take smaller, more controlled hits to avoid deep inhalation, which can lead to greater absorption of harmful substances and more severe respiratory irritation.
• Avoid Overheating: Keep the heat source at an appropriate distance to avoid overheating the substance, which can create harmful byproducts.
• Stay Hydrated: Drinking water before and after smoking can help protect mucosal membranes in your mouth and throat.

Post-Smoking Care

• Cool Down: Allow your equipment to cool down before cleaning to avoid burns and damage.
• Oral Hygiene: Rinse your mouth after smoking to reduce the risk of oral infections and dental issues.
• Respiratory Care: Be alert to any signs of respiratory distress following smoking and seek medical attention if symptoms like coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath occur.

Harm Reduction Tips

• Use in Safe Environments: Smoke in a safe and controlled environment, ideally where help is available in case of adverse reactions.
• Fire Safety: Always use a stable, non-flammable surface for setting up smoking apparatus and ensure that all equipment is extinguished properly after use.
• Substance Testing: If possible, test the substance with available testing kits to identify any potential adulterants or particularly dangerous substances.

Legal and Social Considerations

• Know the Laws: Understand the legal implications of possessing and using illicit substances in your locality.
• Consider Social Impact: Be mindful of the impact of smoke on others, especially in shared spaces. Smoking potent or illicit substances can have significant second-hand effects.

Employing safer smoking practices is essential when using potent or illicit substances. This guide provides steps to reduce your health risks and promote well-being. Remember, the safest approach is abstinence, but if you choose to smoke, prioritize your safety and that of others.