Safer Drug Use
Learn practical safer drug use strategies including the evidence behind safer drug use approaches, effects of different drugs, overdose prevention, strategies by route of administration, and our favorite harm reduction tips.
Course Details
What You Will Learn
Describe the value of the framing safer drug use vs. safe drug use
Identify the categories of drugs and describe their common effects on the body
Identify information about forms of use and safer drug use strategies by specific type of drug
Describe how to practice and implement overdose prevention strategies
Identify and describe safer injection practices including ideal and modified alternatives to promote safety
Identify and describe safer smoking practices including ideal and modified alternatives to promote safety
Identify and describe safer snorting practices including ideal and modified alternatives to promote safety
Identify and describe safer rectal use practices including ideal and modified alternatives to promote safety
Describe considerations for people who are newer injectors, sex workers, and people who are unhoused related to promoting safer drug use strategies as it relates to social context
Identify where to locate additional resources that are produced for and by people who use drugs
Description
Who This Course is For
- People who use drugs who are looking for quick reference, up-to-date, strengths based education about strategies to prevent overdose and other harms related to drug use
- Friends and family members of people who use drugs to better understand strategies to promote safer use
- Providers who are offering services to people who use drugs who have less or no direct experience
- Policy makers and other advocates who work on higher level issues to prevent overdose and other drug related harms but may be less familiar with the experience of people who use drugs
Prerequisites
We strongly recommend reviewing the All About Supplies for Safer Drug Use e-course as the 101-level precursor e-course to this series if you're unfamiliar with concepts of safer drug use and supplies.
Instructor
Hector Mata, LMSW
Co-Founder
Hector has worked in public health and harm reduction for over 15 years. He brings his experience running busy drop-in centers, outpatient treatment sites, residential programs, and criminal justice focused initiatives to bring a cross disciplinary approach to applying harm reduction strategies in day to day work.
Curriculum
132 Lessons
in index format to review in order of the learners priority
Welcome to the Course
Course Goals & Objectives
What to Expect
How To Use This E-Course Platform
Pre-Course Confidence Assessment
What is Safer Drug Use?
Physical & Health Harms Related to Drug Use
Social Harms Related to Drug Use
The Evidence for Safer Drug Use Strategies
What Safer Drug Use Means to Us
All About Drug Use Introduction
Categories of Drugs: Depressants
What should I know about heroin?
What should I know about fentanyl?
What should I know about opioid pills?
What should I know about pressed pills?
What should I know about benzodiazepines?
What should I know about barbiturates?
What should I know about crack/cocaine?
What should I keep in mind about mixing depressants & stimulants?
Overview of overdose prevention
Stimulant Overdose
Opioid Overdose
Drug Checking Technology
How to Use Naloxone (English)
How to Use Naloxone (Español)
Introduction to the Safer Injection Strategies Module
Why would someone choose to inject?
What drugs do people typically inject?
What should I know if I'm injecting pills?
When and why would I use an acidifier (e.g. vitamin c/ascorbic acid)
How do you get the best effect from injecting?
What's the safest place to inject?
What angle should the syringe be at for injection?
What's the difference between a vein and an artery?
What supplies are ideal for safer injection?
What's the difference between water and saline for injecting?
What if I don't have sterile water or saline?
What if I don't have access to water to wash my hands?
What kind of filters are used for injection?
How can I keep the needle sharp?
What are the ideal steps for injection?
What does "registration" look like?
How do I know if I'm in the vein?
What does it mean to "inject towards the heart"?
What does "bevel up" mean in practice?
What tips do you have to help find a vein?
Why should I rotate injection sites?
What else should I know about veins?
How do I tie a tourniquet on myself?
How do I tie a tourniquet on someone else?
How much water should I be using?
My syringe is clogged - now what?
What do I do if I hit an artery?
What should I do so my injection site heals?
What should I be on the lookout for after injecting?
What are rolling veins?
What if I miss my shot?
What is "cotton fever" and how do I prevent it?
How can I (more safely) store supplies if I need to reuse them?
What's the safest way to split drugs with someone else?
What is "front-loading" and "back-loading"?
How do I dispose of syringes safely?
How should I store my syringes?
If I have no other option how can I sharpen a needle for reuse?
Introduction to the Safer Smoking Strategies Module
Why may someone choose to smoke drugs?
What drugs do people typically smoke?
How can I get the best effect from smoking drugs?
What should I know if I'm newer to smoking?
What if I burn myself?
What is smoking black tar heroin like?
What about smoking fentanyl?
What is a "hot rail"?
What are the ideal supplies for safer smoking?
How do I prepare a straight/stem pipe?
How do I prepare a bubble pipe?
How do I prepare a hammer pipe?
What are the different types of filters?
How do I prepare foil for smoking?
What are alternative stem tip cover options?
How do I boat foil to jury rig a pipe?
Any safety tips if I'm smoking with other people?
How do I clean a pipe for residue?
How do I maintain or clean my pipe?
Why should I use chapstick after smoking?
Why should I chew gum after smoking?
How should I handle my pipe if it breaks?
Why doesn't my program offer pipes?
Applied Practice Video - Test Your Knowledge!
Introduction to Safer Snorting Strategies Module
What drugs do people typically snort?
How can I get the best effect from snorting?
What are the ideal supplies for safer snorting?
What are the steps for safer snorting?
What should I do after or between snorting sessions?
What are some safer alternatives for snorting supplies?
What safety tips should I consider if I'm using with others?
What is nasal drip and what can I do to deal with it?
How can I maintain my nostrils and nasal passages over time?
Why are there condoms and lubricant in a safer snorting kit?
How do I prepare a nasal spray for drug use?
Applied Practice Video
Introduction & Preparation
Supplies & Steps
Post-Use Tips
Other Common Questions
Introduction to Safer Rectal Use Strategies Module
Why haven't I heard much about rectal drug use?
Why would I use drugs rectally?
What drugs do people typically use rectally?
How do you get the best effect from rectal use?
Is rectal use uncomfortable?
What if I have hemorrhoids, anal fissures, tears, or other inflammation?
Should I poop before I use drugs rectally?
What supplies do I need for rectal drug use?
What are the steps to use drugs rectally?
How much water or saline should I use?
How long should I wait to feel the effect?
Will the drugs leak out?
What should I do if I'm using with someone else?
What if there is feces on the syringes?_240206
Applied Practice Video - Test Your Knowledge!
If your eyes are overamped...
To preserve your nasal passages...
Even if you're not thirsty...
If you're in a rush or using a new drug or a new way...
If you're using and doing sex work...
An alternative to traditional tourniquets...
Course Recap
Share Your Feedback
Post-Course Confidence Assessment
Instructor
Hector Mata, LMSW
Co-Founder
Hector has worked in public health and harm reduction for over 15 years. He brings his experience running busy drop-in centers, outpatient treatment sites, residential programs, and criminal justice focused initiatives to bring a cross disciplinary approach to applying harm reduction strategies in day to day work.