Heroin Helper

Sink Joy

Those wonderful people at the Harm Reduction Coalition have put out a great little pamphlet called "Think Sink!! Think Bathroom sink. Light!!" The point of the pamphlet is that using near a well lit sink will make the process safer. Below are some quotes from the pamphlet. Before we get to them, however, I want to point one thing out: bathrooms can have a lot of unseen risks. Be careful and avoid obviously dirty bathrooms. Kitchens are better, but unfortunately not private.

People don't want you to get off in their bathrooms but every time you get off near a sink, it makes your injection safer.

You can wash up before and after you get off...
Plenty of water to mix your shot...
Plenty of water to rinse out your syringe... need to use it again!
Plus you can freshen up in the mirror!

Washing your injecting spot with soap and water is as good as alcohol.

People want you to suffer so that you'll stop using drugs. This includes:

Getting infected with HIV, Hepatitis, endocarditis and abscesses
Blowing your veins
Getting busted
Overdosing
Death

All in the name of taking care of yourself! You don't have to agree. Chances are, you know more about the harms of your drug use than they do.

Don't be ashamed to take care of yourself!

Lots of people do things they're ashamed of. Rich important people, from presidents to preachers to TV stars all have stuff they are ashamed of. But drug injectors face a lot more risks than those guys!

Next time you use a bathroom to get off, give yourself credit for doing the right thing.

by Harm Reduction Coalition
and Dr. H
© 2001
Last Modified: 9 January 2004