There is no safe way to inject drugs – but there are ways to be safer in your drug use. Non-injecting routes of administration (NIROA) such as swallowing, snorting, shafting (‘up ya bum’), and smoking can all be safer than injecting.

However, keep in mind that whenever blood is present (even in small amounts not visible to the naked eye) there is a possibility of blood entering another person’s blood stream through a cut, open wound or injecting site. This is how blood borne viruses like HIV and hepatitis C are spread. Be careful not to share drug using equipment like:

• straws or rolled up notes when snorting due to bleeding noses
• bongs, joints or pipes when smoking due to bleeding gums or cuts on the mouth
• any injecting equipment including swabs, tourniquets, needles, spoons and baggies.

Vein care and safer injecting information is essential for people who choose to inject drugs in order to inform people on appropriate equipment usage, asceptic injecting technique, risks of injecting irritant substances, and maintenance of veins.

WARNING: If you do NOT inject and are not a health care provider then this information is not for you. Information contained on this link is graphic and appropriate for current injectors only.

www.saferinjecting.info/vcbrieftext.html 

www.anypositivechange.org/bvcsi.html