Sharing a needle or the reuse of syringes by more than one person can have disastrous effects. It is the way that diseases, which can be transmitted through blood, are spread to others. Two of these diseases include hepatitis and HIV which can lead to AIDS. If people inject themselves, or someone injects them, with drugs using a needle which has been used by someone else, they put themselves at risk for contracting a disease that another user may be carrying. Don’t kid yourself into thinking that you know if another person is HIV positive. They may not even know it themselves. You also can’t assume that someone who is infected will be honest with you, especially if it means you won’t share a needle with them.
If at all possible, take the drugs by mouth. If you have to inject the drug, always make sure you use a new needle, or at the very least one that no one but you has used before. Several large cities have syringe exchange programs. For every used one you turn in, they will give you a new one. The HIV virus can be killed by bleach. The needles should be washed first in hot soapy water and then rinsed several times with cold water. Then, completely cover the needles in a solution of 1 part bleach to 10 parts clean cold water. They should soak for 30 minutes. After soaking, they need to be rinsed several times as bleach is poisonous if injected.
Hepatitis B and C can be spread through the sharing of needles. In order to avoid this do not share any part of your injection supplies including the syringe, cotton, water, cooker and tourniquet. Hepatitis B can also be spread through having sex with an infected person without using a condom. Hepatitis C is less likely to be spread sexually. Studies show that 50% to 90% of injection drug users are infected with HCV.
Of course, the safest thing is to stop the habit all together. If you or someone you know is addicted to drugs, get them help immediately. A Better Tomorrow is waiting for a call from you.
If you need help, are struggling with an addiction, or know of someone who is, please contact A Better Tomorrow Treatment Center today. We are here to help.
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When I first heard about the needle exchange I thought it sounded like a bad idea. That maybe people would be encouraged to do drugs. Then I had a sane moment and realized that they're going to do them regardless, this is just a way to stop the spread of disease.
ReplyDeleteHaving access to a needle exchange program during my out of control years may have saved my life. I'm clean now and have every hope of remaining that way. Without the program I could be battling a life long disease. Thank God for those programs, they work.
ReplyDeleteWe have a needle exchange program in our town now, but it didn't get here in time to save my son. He died from AIDS about 3 months before the program started.
ReplyDeleteJust knowing the perils of sharing needles should be enough to keep them from doing it. I guess when it comes to your next fix, that's not a consideration.
ReplyDeleteI've heard individuals complain because they feel that paying for needles is money that could be spent else where. What they don't understand is the price of the needles is irrelavent when compared to the price of caring for a sick and dying addict. The state, which means the people of the state, will be paying for their care. Not too many drug addicts carry health insurance. Do the math and I think you will agree, the needles are worth the price.
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