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Safer Injecting

If you inject some of the information below could be useful for you. Drugaid run two needle exchanges; in Caerphilly and Merthyr Tydfil.

All the workers are here can give you information and support to prevent you getting into real problems with injecting.

We want you to survive, to not lose bits of your body through hitting an artery or getting gangrene, to avoid getting blood borne viruses like Hepatitis C or HIV and generally to keep as healthy as possible so you can either keep doing what feels right for you now or go down a different path in life.

We have been doing this for many years and there are safer ways of injecting that we can help you with. Come in and see us. We can go through your technique with you, provide you with equipment including:

Arteries and veins

Arteries - take blood away from the heart, pumping it round your body. The blood in your arteries is bright red because it contains a lot of oxygen. Larger arteries - which supply your major organs - have a pulse.

Never inject into an artery. You could easily bleed to death, or lose a limb. If you hit an artery the plunger on the syringe would be pushed back by the pressure and the blood would be bright red, and frothy.

If you hit an artery immediately pull out the needle, remove any tourniquet and apply pressure for at least 15 minutes until it stops bleeding.

Veins - carry blood back to the heart. The blood is a dark red colour, almost purple. Veins do not have a pulse. Most people find the veins in their arms are the easiest to inject into. There are several ways to raise these veins:

• Allow your arm to relax and drop beside you.
• Clench and relax your fist.
• Gently rub or slap the skin above the vein.
• Wave your arm around like a windmill.
• Use a tourniquet. People use tourniquets to ensure a vein is full of blood. If a tourniquet is too tight the vein will not fill with blood. Use a tourniquet that can be easily released.
• Alternate injecting sites. Using the same vein every time will cause scarring and other damage.

Needles and syringes

There is one golden rule about choosing the right needle and syringe – use the smallest size possible. Larger needles cause more damage.

Preparing the injection

Anything that has any amount of blood on it, or in it, can help viruses like HIV and hepatitis B and hepatitis C to be passed on.

1. If you want to make sure you're protecting yourself (and other people) you need to keep everything clean.
2. Always use your own spoon
3. Always use your own water
4. Always use your own filters
5. Always dispose of used equipment safely

Keeping healthy

Your doctor will be able to treat most of the problems that can be caused by injecting. If an injection site becomes infected and is not treated the problems can become severe, sometimes life threatening.

Warning signs include sites that become painful, tender, red, hot or swollen, or you feel generally ill or weak and develop a temperature.

If your skin becomes sore, weeps or turns black the infection won't heal by itself.

You might notice a red track mark that spreads under the skin as the infection spreads. Don't wait. Go to your doctor. Now.

If you are having any problems with injecting whether you are using heroin, speed or steroids come in and see us.

We have up to date information, free equipment and friendly workers.

You may find it easier to get your equipment from a local pharmacy. To view the list of pharmacies who provide needle exchange's in Gwent, visit out pharmacy exchange page.

Remember if you are having problems, come and see us in Caerphilly or Merthyr or give us a ring.

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