Safer equipment and infection prevention
Safety & Harm Reduction — Guide 21 of 25

Sharing or reusing injection equipment can spread infections. Access to sterile supplies and healthcare is part of harm reduction.

Reduce exposure
- Use new sterile needles and syringes for each injection.
- Do not share drug preparation equipment, including water, filters, or cookers.
- Ask a local harm reduction service about supplies and safe disposal.
- Put used sharps into an appropriate sharps container.

Connect with healthcare
Services may offer HIV and hepatitis testing, vaccinations, wound care, naloxone, and treatment referrals. Ask which options are available locally. You can request care even if you are continuing to use.

Pay attention to wounds
Seek medical care for worsening pain, spreading redness, swelling, or drainage. Fever or feeling seriously unwell alongside a wound needs urgent assessment. Do not try to cut open or drain a wound yourself. If you find a discarded needle, keep others away and contact the local disposal service rather than picking it up with bare hands.

If you are helping someone
Help someone find a local service without judging their need for supplies or healthcare.

WARN (OTHERS): After immediate care is covered, share dated advisories or observed concerns. Say what is confirmed and what is uncertain. Protect people’s privacy. Emergency care comes first. Never share someone’s name, identifying photo or private health details.

Your next step
Find out where sterile supplies and sharps disposal are available locally.

Learn more
CDC — Syringe services and infection prevention
https://stacks.cdc.gov/view/cdc/94797/cdc_94797_DS1.pdf

Current guide: https://therealdopeproject.com/safety-guides/safer-equipment-and-infection-prevention

The Real DOPE Project — Safety Is for Everyone.

Contact: therealdopeproject@gmail.com

Resource text updated: 2026-10-13. Earlier sources retain their individual review dates.

General education, not individual medical advice or first aid certification. In an emergency, call 911 and follow the dispatcher and your exact kit instructions.

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