o Preparing drugs for personal use in one’ s own space, and using equipment that has not been used by anyone else. o Choosing the smallest possible bore and length needle for the injection site. o Selecting a suitable vein, introducing the needle carefully by sliding it under the skin, at a shallow angle with the bevel up. o Injecting with the blood flow, i. e. towards the heart. o Injecting slowly to reduce the likelihood of drugs leaking into the tissues surrounding the vein and damaging the vein. o Injecting the hit in two halves with a short break( a few seconds) between to reduce the risk of overdose. o Pulling back the plunger to identify that the needle is in a vein – a small amount of dark red venous blood should trickle into the syringe. If a tourniquet is used it should be loosened once blood has been drawn into the syringe. o Not jacking back blood( pulling out and back in) and flushing after a shot as this can significantly increase damage to the vein. o Removing the needle slowly and carefully. o Applying pressure to the site with a blood-proof pad, gauze, cotton wool or tissue( bruising is caused by bleeding into the surrounding tissue. Immediate firm pressure will limit the amount of bruising caused). o Safely disposing of used injecting equipment, including whatever has been used to stop bleeding.
Sites for intravenous drug injection
Correct Needle Insertion