|
Safe
Injecting
Two of the best methods of gaining some protection from HIV/Aids
and Hepatitis C are by practicing safe using and also safe sex. The only way to eliminate the risk
totally is by abstinence, which may work from a moral point of view but will
never in practice.
Thanks to the work carried out by all the groups evolved
with blood borne–virus we as a Country have one of the lowest rates of
HIV/Aids infection within the IDU community. Sadly this hasn’t been the case with
Hep C and this is one area in which we are pushing for more
education.
IDU’s can avoid
contact with Hep C and the AIDS viruses and transmitting them onto others by
using in a safe manner.
The Golden Rules:
NEVER SHARE ANY IV
EQUIPMENT
This includes everything from spoons, filters, swabs,
tourniquets, water, and of course never share a syringe and needle. There is no
safe way in which you can reuse a barrel and pick.
USE FRESH CLEAN EQUIPMENT EVERY TIME
If you are planning on using, then obtain from your local needle exchange, fresh equipment
in advance. This is includes sterile waters, wheel filters (which come
in a range of sizes. The exchange staff are only too happy to help you if
you haven’t used one before - just ask), alcohol swabs (and don’t use them after
you have hit as alcohol causes you to bleed more), and get your own
tourniquets and sterile syringe and
needle.
NEVER SHARE YOUR
SPOON
Before you start, make sure that you
have cleaned your spoon properly by wiping it over with a prep-pad.
BE
CLEAN
Once you are ready to begin make sure that
you have washed the area on the table or surface down well with a good
disinfectant, and then wash your hands well and make sure that you have dried
them. Remember to wash yourself before and after touching anyone else who you
are using with.
Once you are all set to hit up then it’s time to use an alcohol prep pad,
remembering to use a fresh one on every occasion and on every person
.
TOURNIQUET
USE
Have your own and remember to throw it away if it becomes soiled
and never share. It’s important that you know where to apply it and what amount
of pressure to use. Again, if you're not sure, speak to your local needle exchange.
It is extremely important that you release the tourniquet as soon as you are
into the vein as, if you try hitting with it on, then you run the risk of
ballooning the vein and damaging it.
CLEAN UP
As soon as you withdraw the needle place a
clean tissue, cotton swab or cotton ball onto the site and apply firm pressure until
the bleeding has stopped, don’t use prep pads. As soon as you are able clean
everything up, place it into your returns container (which you get free at the
Needle Exchange) and return them for safe
destruction.
IF YOU’RE A
NON-INJECTING USER
The risks of infection are lower, but there is
still a chance of contracting or spreading the Hep C and HIV/Aids virus. Any
activity that has the chance of blood contact should be considered risky and
avoided. This includes snorting, using the same straw or by charging or anal
insertion. The walls here are easily able to
bleed.
|
