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Drug use and harm reduction
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Needle Exchange/syringe access and disposal |
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- Wound Botulism: Life threatening infection seen in heroin users
- When Your Partner Has a Drug or Alcohol Problem (PDF)
It's tough enough when a friend has a problem with drugs or alcohol. It's even more complicated when your partner does. It's simply harder to see things objectively or to separate yourself from the effect of your partner's addiction when you're so emotionally, physically, and often financially intertwined. He needs help, and you need help. So who's left to help the relationship?
- When Your Friend Has a Drug or Alcohol Problem (PDF)
From the outside, addiction can seem hard to explain, frustrating, and contrary to all logic, especially when it's someone close to you with the problem. How long do you watch the harm being done before you step in? How can I help when I don't even understand what's going on?
- Queer Drug and Alcohol Resource Guide
Information from the Gay Men, Drug Use and HIV Workgroup including descriptions of types of popular party/club drugs and how it affects the body, how to get drug and alcohol treatment in King County, how to tell if you're using too much and links and resources.
- A compendium guide to crystal meth among gay and bisexual men
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Treatment resources in King County |
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Harm reduction materials for users |
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NOTE: These materials are targeted for a specific high risk population and may contain language that is inappropriate for persons under the age of 18.
- Heroin overdose deaths
King County has seen an unusual rise in heroin-related deaths. To learn more, see the media release and Public Health Warning for heroin users, both issued March 6, 2012.
- Be Alive Tomorrow
Facts about opiate overdose.
- Your arms are not hopeless!
Tips from Jason - That Vein Care Guy on how to best find a vein and using syringes.
- All about abscesses(PDF)
An abscess is a pocket of pus which means you have an infection. What causes an abscess? Drug shooters often get abscesses on their arms or legs at injection sites.
- Bleach your works in 3 easy steps
- Syringe Disinfection for Injection Drug Users(PDF)
- Clostridium fact sheet in English (PDF)
- Cotton facts and tips(PDF)
Cotton fever is probably not caused by cotton fibers. It's more likely caused by bacteria that live in the cotton. Cotton can grow a lot of bacteria, especially after it gets wet.
- Crystal -- What You Should Know(PDF)
For some men, crystal meth is an integral part of gay culture and their personal, social and sexual identities. Unfortunately, it also plays an undeniable role in the rise of HIV, STDs, and addiction in our community. There are many decisions to make about crystal: How can I minimize its risks? How do I stop? Should I even try it?
- Endocarditis
Bacterial endocarditis is an infection in the lining or valves of your heart. How does it happen? One way that bacteria get into the blood is by using needles that aren't sterile.
- Hard to hit veins? Abscesses? Visit the Public Health Vein Care Specialist. Click here for details.
- Muscling and Skin Popping Muscling is when you inject into muscle instead of a vein. Skin-popping is when you inject between skin and fat layers. Muscling and skin-popping allow germs to "sit" inside muscle and fat tissue or under the skin. These are great places for abscesses and other infections to brew.
- Stop! Do Not Share! Sharing works is the same as sharing blood. This happens when you share rigs with someone else.
- The Point is the Point: Turn them back in with care
Exposed points are really dangerous. So are broken-off points. They are hard to see and can easily get lost in clothes, carpets, couches, wherever.
- Tips for injection drug users to reduce the risk of acquiring HIV
- What does your needle look like?
Use a brand new needle everytime you inject. See microscopic photos of needle tips as they deteriorate after repeated use. Reusing needles increases your chances of getting abscesses, infections and blown veins.
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