At Northreach Society, we uphold the principles of harm reduction and education, meeting people where they are without judgment. Recognizing that every substance carries its own safety concerns, our goal isn’t to dictate choices but to provide support and information to those who decide to use substances. This approach helps us reduce risks associated with substance use through open dialogue and informed decisions.
What You Need to Know About Substances
Substances vary widely in their effects and risks. To aid in understanding these differences, resources like TRIPSIT provide in-depth factsheets that detail the category, chemical makeup, and effects of various substances. These resources are invaluable for anyone who uses substances or knows someone who does. Particularly useful is the Drug Combinations page on TRIPSIT, which offers guidance to enhance safety for users by avoiding dangerous substance combinations.
Best Practices in Harm Reduction
Best Practices for Injecting
Always use sterile equipment, available at Northreach, and plan your substance use carefully:
- Never use alone and know your source.
- Use a new set of supplies each time to avoid infections.
- Dispose of used needles in containers provided by Northreach. Our team will then ensure they are taken for proper disposal.
- Carry Naloxone, especially since fentanyl can be present in substances from any category.
- If skin popping, use sterile supplies and follow safe injection practices.
Best Practices for Smoking
- Use a personal Pyrex or glass pipe to avoid burns and cuts.
- Attach a mouthpiece to protect your lips.
- Change the pipe if it’s chipped or broken and use lip balm to protect against chapping.
- Always know your source and never use alone.
Snorting Best Practices
- Use disposable equipment like Post-It notes to make rollable straws.
- Avoid using money as a straw due to hygiene concerns.
- Rinse your nose with warm water post-snorting to reduce waste and enhance care.
Best Practices for Ingesting
- Allow time for substances to digest, as ingestion is the slowest method for effects to manifest, reducing the risk of toxicity from double dosing.
- Swallowing is generally the safest route for using substances.
Insertion Best Practices
- Always wash hands before and after insertion.
- Insertion can irritate the lining. To mitigate, use external or internal condoms, avoid sharing equipment, and always ensure condoms are used to prevent the transmission of STIs and HIV.
Other Resources
For those looking to delve deeper into the physical and mental effects of psychoactive drugs, additional resources include:
- “Uppers, Downers, All-Arounders: Physical and Mental Effects of Psychoactive Drugs” by Inaba & Cohen. https://a.co/d/4RxgLpq
- “Uptown, Downtown: the Drug Handbook” by Streetworks. https://a.co/d/gXYkx5K
- “Drugs of Abuse: An Identification Guide” by Sunshine Coast Health Center. https://www.sunshinecoasthealthcentre.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/SCHC_DIGuide2019_Oct_fnl.pdf
For practical advice and safety tips, the following online resources are recommended:
- TRIPSIT Guide to Safe Drug Use (https://tripsafe.org/guide/)
- Catie’s Information on Drug Safety (http://librarypdf.catie.ca/ATI-70000s/70214.pdf)
At Northreach Society, we believe in empowering individuals through education and practical support. By providing these resources and promoting harm reduction practices, we aim to foster a safer environment for substance use within our community.