RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH USING ALTERNATE ITEMS FOR

INJECTING/SMOKING DRUGS

Drug use carries health risks. Proper use of harm reduction supplies can make people safer. Reasons people will use alternate supplies include:

• Personal drug-use habits and preferences

• Local drug use culture

• Lack of access to harm reduction supplies

• Easier access to alternate items

• Using drugs in new spaces (cars, alleys, public washrooms)

Alternate items are always less safe than using supplies from a harm reduction program.

People may not be able to follow safer practices or use safer harm reduction supplies every time. Knowing the risks of using alternate supplies can help people stay closer to safer practices and reduce harms.

“You mentioned that you don’t like using brass screens and prefer Brillo® instead. If you still want to use Brillo®, here are some tips to minimize some of the risks.”