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Safer using

When you buy
Healthier using tips
Ways to use
Safer slamming

Safer slamming

Our aim on the site is to provide the best information available. We have revised this page to include images detailing steps and procedures associated with safer injection - we believe the "art" of injecting is best communicated visually rather than through text only. The best resource we've found is from the Chicago Recovery Alliance. The 23 images below represent opportunities for learning to take better care of one's veins and reducing the likelihood of disease transmissions through the process of injection. These two protective goals are complementary and reduce drug-related harm. We encourage you to follow as many of these steps as possible. Sometimes new habits are hard to adapt but we encourage you to try these. The more of these tips you are able to incorporate into your slamming practice, and the more often you are able to follow them, the more you will be able to reduce the significant harm that can be associated with injecting.

Toronto has several needle exchange programmes and sites around the city. Check out The Works for harm reduction supplies (including needles and other equipment) and services for drug users (including testing and counselling).

Come to Know the Power of Any Positive Change

better vein care safer injection
better vein care safer injection better vein care safer injection
better vein care safer injection better vein care safer injection better vein care safer injection
better vein care / safer injection
cultivation of good veins cultivation of good veins safer places to inject safer places to inject wiping with an alcohol pad before injecting wiping with an alcohol pad before injecting
learn more about your veins learn more about your veins typical process for preparing an injection of salt heroin typical process for preparing an injection of salt heroin orientation & position of the needle orientation & position of the needle
clean surfaces clean surfaces some other preparation considerations some other preparation considerations getting a hit & releasing the tourniquet getting a hit & releasing the tourniquet
filters filters overdose management overdose management controlling your shot controlling your shot
sterile drugs of known purity & sterile water sterile drugs of known purity & sterile water more liquid = more dilute = less damaging to your veins more liquid = more dilute = less damaging to your veins stopping the bleeding stopping the bleeding
syringes & needles syringes & needles having something clean to stop the bleeding having something clean to stop the bleeding caring for injection sites caring for injection sites
injecting solids (pills, crack, etc) injecting solids (pills, crack, etc) clean hands & injection sites clean hands & injection sites capping & safekeeping capping & safekeeping
ties for pumping up veins ties for pumping up veins using a tourniquet or tie well using a tourniquet or tie well

TIP: Slamming can be intense. Maybe it's not the way to go for you? Perhaps you want to give your veins a break? You can snort, smoke, booty-bump, rail...Check out the pros and cons of other methods here.

Safer Injecting

Safer Injecting

Source: Canadian HIV/AIDS Information Centre, Canadian Public Health Association, September 2003

 
   
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