Injecting drugs is very risky; people who inject drugs put their lives in danger more than other drug users.
Injecting cocaine can end up being a very frequent activity and because pain is deadened around the injecting site (cocaine is a local anaesthetic), veins become damaged very quickly. It is always safer to sniff cocaine than injecting it.
Speedballing
Speedballing is when cocaine and heroin are injected at the same time.
Cocaine and Crack can temporarily mask the downer effects of heroin and other ‘downer-type’ drugs. The cocaine will wear off quicker than the heroin and, if you have injected more heroin than you thought, you could overdose.
As well as putting users at a higher risk of overdose, the cost of a heroin and crack habit can rapidly spiral out of control. Beware of dealers offering ‘white and brown’ in one deal.
Why is injecting cocaine so risky?
Injecting drugs is always risky.
- Sharing, lending or borrowing injecting equipment can spread hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
- Poor injecting technique or dirty equipment can damage veins and cause infection and blood poisoning.
- Lowered tolerance and the unknown purity of street drugs can result in overdose.
IT IS ALWAYS SAFER NOT TO INJECT DRUGS AT ALL
If you are determined to inject cocaine there are some things you can do to reduce the risks.
The 5 rules of Safer Injecting
- Never share, lend or borrow used injecting equipment, including:
- Needles
- Filters
- Syringes
- Water
- Ascorbic/Citric acid
- Mixing equipment
- Spoons or other cookers
- Use the smallest possible needle to inject.
- Use the smallest possible amount of water.
- Do not inject drugs on your own. Try and do it with others around you so that they can help if you overdose.
- Dispose of your used equipment carefully. Get a sharps bin from your drug service. Always keep the box out of the reach of children.
Protecting your Health
Basic Hygiene
Keep your injecting equipment and the space where you inject clean to avoid infections, abscesses and other serious health problems. Always wash your hands well before and after injecting. Prepare your hit on something that you can throw away afterwards, such as a newspaper or magazine. Do not share this 'protected space' with anyone. Be blood aware. Think about how tiny amounts of blood might be passed from one person to another.
Cleaning Injecting Equipment
Cleaning used syringes and needles, even with bleach, may not kill blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis. Always use sterile syringes and needles every time you inject.
If it is not possible to use a new and sterile needle and syringe only re-use your own and take the following 3 steps:-
- Flush out the syringe with fresh, clean, cold water – repeat this step.
- Draw bleach through the needle into the syringe. Leave some air in it and shake it vigorously for at least 30 seconds. Squirt the bleach down the drain or toilet - repeat this step.
- Flush out the syringe again with fresh, clean, cold water. Do not use the water you used in step 1 - repeat this step.
Bruising and Swelling
If you regularly notice bruising, it may be that you are doing something wrong when you inject. If you get swelling, redness or pain around an injecting site,
seek medical advice immediately. Early treatment can prevent serious complications later.
Hitting an Artery
If you hit an artery, blood will rush up into the syringe and can even push the plunger up. Do not inject. Remove the needle and press on the site for 5 minutes. If your leg/arm/hand becomes swollen, red or very painful,
seek medical help immediately - the longer you leave it, the more likely you are to lose a limb.
Injecting Sites on the Arm
The veins in the arm are the safest site for injecting.
