Safer use rules
You can protect yourself from infection when using drugs by only ever using your own syringe and accessories. It is generally less risky to snort (sniff) or smoke drugs than to inject them.
The following rules should help you to handle drugs safely:
Spraying/Slamming
Due to the unavoidable contact with blood, intravenous consumption (syringes, including Slamming The most high-risk form of consumption in terms of HIV and hepatitis is the use of alcohol.
Blood residues on and in the needle and in the syringe, as well as on other utensils such as spoons, filters or water, can contain HIV and other viruses and bacteria in high concentrations, even if the blood is not visible to the naked eye.
That's why you should only ever use your own spraying equipment and utensils and not pass them on/share them. Ideally, you should use a new set of spraying equipment for every "print".
In many cities, there are facilities where sterile syringes are issued free of charge or for a very low price, or where you can exchange old syringes for new ones. Syringe vending machines allow access around the clock. You can find syringe vending machines in your area via the website www.spritzenautomaten.de.
If it is unavoidable to use spraying equipment that has already been used by others, you should at least boil or disinfect it. Instructions on how to do this can be found in the "Safer Use" brochure. You can download this download here.
You can find more detailed information and what you should bear in mind on our special page on this topic.
No banknotes
You should not use rolled banknotes for snorting at all. They are sharp-edged, can injure your nose and have usually been passed through many hands and are therefore often full of pathogens.
Sniffing
Drugs such as cocaine and speed, but also heroin, can also be drawn into the nose through a tube. The risks of overdose and infection are lower with snorting than with injecting.
Attention: Hepatitis viruses can get on and into the tubes and be transmitted to others via tiny injuries in the nasal mucosa, which can easily occur when sniffing. That's why you should only ever use your own tube when sniffing!
Smoking
Smoking crack cocaine or methamphetamine produces high temperatures, which can lead to injuries to the lips and mucous membranes in the mouth. Due to the anaesthetic effect, you only notice such injuries later.
To avoid hepatitis C infections, it is important that you never share your pipe with others and that it only goes in your mouth.
Share?
Some drug users share the "substance" by first boiling it and drawing it up in a syringe and then passing it on - measured according to the graduation marks on the syringe.
Each consumer collects their share from the first syringe using their own syringe. Nevertheless, this method is risky. Because if the first syringe or needle, the water or the filter have already been used, viruses, bacteria and fungi can be passed on.
There is only one hygienic solution for sharing drugs fairly: you share the powder and everyone chooses their own portion. Then everyone uses their own syringe and their own consumption utensils such as spoons, water and filters.
Sharing or snorting cocaine or other nasally consumable substances is also very popular. Make sure that everyone has their own tube and that the surface is clean. Avoid using banknotes or straws, but use soft, clean paper (some clubs have disposable tubes in the sanitary area). To remove any unabsorbed extender from your nose, you should blow your nose 5-10 minutes after snorting or clean it with a damp handkerchief.
