Safer IV Injections: OnPoint NYC’s Harm Reduction Tips
Intravenous drug injections in which drugs are injected directly into the bloodstream – are the most invasive method of drug administration. However, harm reduction methods can make a huge difference in one’s quality of life, and can prevent chronic disease and overdose.
At OnPoint NYC, our health educators are committed and passionate about helping our community members who inject drugs mitigate these risks through education and resources.
We asked Synn Stern, OnPoint’s Health Clinic Nurse, about how safer IV injection techniques can help people avoid the most common health issues.
The following harm reduction techniques can make a big difference:
To decrease damage to skin and veins
- Using an elastic tie (tourniquet) helps raise and secure veins. Open it before removing the needle to reduce bleeding and bruising.
- Injecting with the open part of the needle (bevel) up, and in the direction of blood flow further reduces the risk of venous damage.
- Rotating injection sites reduces the risk of venous damage, track marks and scarring.
- Alcohol wipes before injections will clean surface dirt and reduce the risk of abscess and endocarditis. However, they should not be used after injecting, as alcohol prevents blood from clotting.
IV drug injections can cause
- Abscesses
- Skin and soft tissue infections (particularly if Xylazine is present)
- Track marks
- Endocarditis
- Vein and circulatory damage
- Increased risk of deep vein thrombosis
- Increased risk of infection or blood-borne illnesses
- Increased risk of overdose (due to faster onset and greater bioavailability)
To reduce infections and illness
- Using only new equipment (syringes, cookers, cottons/filters, ties) and fresh clean water from a clean container for each injection reduces the risk of blood borne infections like HCV, HBV, HIV and syphilis. Visit us to obtain new supply kits.
- If an injection is missed, hold ice, cold water, or a cold can of soda on the missed injection site to reduce swelling. If it’s still swollen the next day, warm compresses can help increase blood flow to the area and speed healing. If swelling doesn’t go down and it becomes red, hot and painful, visit your healthcare provider or OnPoint’s health clinic as you might need antibiotics.
To minimize overdose risk
- Doing test shots and/or injecting slowly provides the opportunity to stop if it feels “wrong” or too much
- Inject where others are present and carry naloxone/Narcan, so help can be provided if something goes wrong.
- Test drugs before use. Visit us to test your supplies.
Interested in learning more about IV injection safety? View our guide to learn more.
WANT MORE HARM REDUCTION RESOURCES?
Not only does OnPoint NYC provide in-person education and hygienic materials to the community, but we also offer instructional harm reduction guides that provide accurate information on drug administration methods, precautions, and other tips to avoid overdose, infection, and severe injury. We are happy to share these tools widely – all our printed resource guides are available for download here.
