Safer use
Safer use describes strategies that minimize the incidental and preventable harm caused by drug use . The most well-known safer use measures include syringe exchange and safer sniffing.
history
In the mid-1980s, HIV spread disproportionately , especially among homosexual men and intravenous drug users. In order to counteract the spread of this disease in the affected circles, strategies were developed and propagated under the terms safer sex (including the use of condoms ) and safer use (including the exchange of syringes). Above all the AIDS-Hilfen and the nationwide self-help network Junkies, Alumni and Substituted (JES) were committed to the acceptance of safer sex and safer use in the affected scenes.
Around the turn of the millennium, the first scientific studies appeared in which a disproportionately high incidence of hepatitis C infections in cocaine users who sniff this substance ( nasally applied) was described. The self-help network JES therefore started the first safer sniffing campaign in Germany (each with their own sniff tube ) based on the model of the Paris-based association “Techno Plus” . As a result, other scene organizations for drug education in Frankfurt am Main, Berlin and Leipzig quickly joined this campaign. As part of this campaign, information materials and clean sniff tubes are distributed. In Switzerland, safer sniffing is not only promoted by scene organizations, but also by official bodies. Safer sniffing is a special safer use strategy.
Protective measures against infectious diseases
The common use of syringes for intravenous administration of drugs such as heroin or cocaine there is a high risk of infection with infectious diseases such as HIV , Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C . The common use of sniffles during the nasal application of cocaine, amphetamine or methamphetamine increases the risk of infection, especially with hepatitis C.
Safer use to practice is for Fixer , sterile syringes and sterile utensils for preparing the material to be injected to use. Syringes and other utensils are mostly provided by non-profit organizations such as AIDS-Hilfe or exchanged for used syringes. In large cities and metropolitan areas and also in areas where it is known that there are many addicts living there, safer-use sets are also offered in vending machines . In general, used syringes can also be disposed of in these machines. The machines ensure syringes can be exchanged around the clock and are used primarily by addicts who prefer not to be recognized, since these machines are usually set up in inconspicuous locations. These machines make an evident and efficient contribution to safer use and thus to contain the spread of deadly infectious diseases.
For users who sniff their drugs, practicing safer use means always using a clean sniffing tube and not sharing it with others. Scene organizations for drug education distribute clean snuff tubes and information materials on safer sniffing at parties and thus make an active contribution to reducing the harm caused by sniffing psychotropic substances and thus promoting health.
Information on drug effects and risk minimization
Health information on the consumption of drugs, e.g. B. on the dangers of mixed consumption or various physical effects under certain conditions, the aim of which is the responsible use of intoxicants and better drug maturity , are also referred to as safer use. Especially with illegal substances available on the black market, drug checking is also an important part of safer use. The education about risk-minimizing use is often criticized as a call to drug use. Organizations that endeavor to disseminate safer use notices, however, refer to the consumption actually taking place despite legal regulations and see their task in closing and referring to a dangerous information gap that has arisen due to the illegality of the substances and the resulting taboo an additional risk from contaminated substances available on the black market.
In most cases, mixed drug use is not recommended due to the increased risk. Likewise, safer use recommendations refer to careful dosing as well as increased dangers when consuming various substances and their effects on corresponding health problems.
literature
- M. Allenspach, A. Raths: Party drugs and secondary prevention - Theoretical basics, impulses for prevention work . ISBN 978-3-907080-19-1 .
