Reducing the harm

The Drug Foundation’s message is clear: no drug use is the safest drug use. But we realise there will be occasions when people ignore warnings and use drugs. In order to limit the harm from their drug use, we provide information about effective methods of drug harm minimisation. Such information directly benefits the person using drugs, and also protects the wider community.

Infectious diseases, such as hepatitis and HIV, and skin infections are significant risks when using injecting drugs. Clean needles obtained from a needle exchange service should always be used to minimise the risk of attracting an infectious disease or skin condition.

Never share needles or syringes.

Because of the high risk of overdose, it is best not to use opiates alone. Having someone else around is important.

Opiates should always be filtered or boiled. Because most opiates in New Zealand are impure, the level of contamination with other substances can be high. Using a filter reduces the risk of contamination.

In the advent of an overdose, and ambulance should be called immediately. Ambulance officers are not obliged to involve police and the life of someone you know is at risk if they have overdosed. Stay with the person who has overdosed and apply mouth-to-mouth and CPR resuscitation until the ambulance arrives.

If someone is still breathing and has a pulse, keep them rolled on their side in the recovery position. A person could choke on vomit if they are left lying on their back.