How Can Heroin Users

Reduce Risks for

Contracting HIV/AIDS
and Hepatitis B or C?
Abstaining from use is always best. But
here are some tips for safer use.

Heroin

Always use clean equipment. This

includes needles, syringes, spoons,
filters, etc.

Information and Resources for

Injection Drug Users (IDU)

Always use a new, sterile needle and

syringe, and only use syringes
obtained from a reliable source.
Clean and disinfect the preparation
area, and use a new or disinfected
container.
Never share any syringes, water, or
equipment with other people.
Always clean your hands before
preparation of injection.

Put your used needle and syringe in

a hard container and dispose of it
safely.

3600 E Jefferson Blvd.

South Bend, IN 46615

Use a different injection site each

time.

Choices Recovery

Clean the injection site with a new

alcohol swab prior to injecting.

Why Heroin Users?

Heroin addicts are at risk of developing a
number of physical and emotional side
effects from the abuse of this drug.
High among the physical dangers is the
chance of contracting HIV/AIDS and
Hepatitis B or C.
Addicts put themselves at risk of contracting
these diseases because they:

tend to use old or shared needles

are more likely to be sexually
promiscuous
fail to practice safe sex

According to the National Institute on Drug

Abuse, each injection drug user (IDU)
infected with HIV or viral Hepatitis is likely
to infect as many as 20 other people. They
also state that over one-half of new HCV
(hepatitis C) infections were among injection
drug users. Currently, there is a vaccine
available that protects against HBV
(hepatitis B), but none for HCV (hepatitis C).

The Stigma of Heroin

An Epidemic

Overcoming the stigma surrounding heroin

addiction is the first step in helping addicts
recover from this debilitating condition. It is
important to consider that no one ever just
decides to become a heroin addict. Of course
they had a choice when it came to the
decision to try heroin the first time or two,
but then the drug takes over every aspect of
the person's mind and body, and he or she
loses the ability to choose. Severe
withdrawal symptoms force the person to
continue using, despite serious consequences
that have developed.

Our nation is experiencing one of the worst

heroin epidemics in its history, one that
crosses all geographical, racial, economical,
and social boundaries. With this comes an
epidemic of disease, crime, overdoses, and
needless deaths.

Treatment and Options

Rehabilitation in an addiction treatment
facility is the ideal solution, but in many
cases, the addict has already contracted one
of the above diseases before they ever get the
opportunity to enter rehab. For this reason,
many states advocate a sterile needle and
syringe program (NSP) that would not only
provide clean needles, but also seek to
educate addicts about the many ways they
can help reduce harm to themselves and
others. Some of the services provided by
these programs include:

tips for safer injecting procedures

advice on safer handling and disposal of
needles
education on how to recognize or avoid
an overdose
information regarding HIV testing and
treatment
access to free condoms
access to other health and welfare
services

This is no longer a dirty little secret

that hides in back alleys, and now is
the time to take action to bring this
epidemic under control.

Services
Indiana Services
Indiana State Department of Health
http://www.in.gov/
HIV Services Hotline 1-866-588-4989
Drug Treatment Programs and
Information
Choices Recovery http://crehab.org/
SAMHSA http://www.samhsa.gov/

Contact Us
Choices Recovery
3600 E Jefferson Blvd.
South Bend, IN 46615
1 (844) 226-4736