Superior Points HRP - Canadian Harm Reduction Network

Safer Injection TipsSafer injecting technique is important to reduce your risk of:Becoming infected with Hepatitis (viruses that attack your liver) or HIV (the virusthat can cause AIDS), overdose, vein damage, infection from bacteria that getinto the blood (ie. from dirty works), spreading infection you may have to others.Ideally, time should be spent to ensure that equipment is clean and ready to go,lighting is good, clean water is available, a good injection site has been chosen, andsome privacy is available so you can take your time and do it right.You can protect yourself from infection by always usingyour own and never sharing any injection equipment:new, sterile needles/syringes, ties/tourniquets, filters, water, swabs cookers/spoonsAlways use:needles, syringes, wipes, and filters once onlyclean waterthe smallest needle you cana new needle if you can't find a vein right awaya proper sharps (or clear plastic) container for safe disposal of used equipmentAlways be aware of the risk of:catching infection from others (don’t share!)overdose (try not to inject alone and choose safer injection spots on your body)passing on infection to others (don’t share!)improperly disposing of your used equipment (you can put others at risk forneedlesticks, lose your curbside garbage pick-up, and even be fined for publiclydiscarding your needles)And see a doctor if you get any swelling at or near aninjection site that lasts for more than a few days or:The site is painful or tenderis hot and/or redthere is any serious bleedingif an area of skin becomes sore,weeping or turning black; an areaof skin becomes pale ordiscoloured.Source: Adapted from The Safer Injecting Handbook. The full handbook isavailable online. http://www.exchangesupplies.org/publications/saferinjhbkFor more information or safer injection supplies, contactSuperior Points at 625-8830, 625-8831, or625-7996.Safer Injection TipsSUPERIOR POINTS HARM REDUCTION PROGRAMProtocols for Staff, Volunteers and Community Agencies39