Clostridium

 

Remember the news that seems to pop up each year concerning contaminated heroin? Remember when over
35 drug injectors died due to
a batch of contaminated heroin in 2003?

If you are an intravenous or intrmuscular injector - this concerns you.

The bacteria (Clostridium) has been present in a few batches of contaminated heroin over the last few years, which appeared to particularly affect people who either injected into the muscle, skin-popped, or who missed a vein when injecting. Tragically, around 35 drug users have died as a result so far.

 

Over the last 5 years, various outbreaks have occurred affecting drug users in Dublin, Glasgow and London as they began turning up in surgeries and hospitals, exhibiting very similar symptoms to each other. It was initially thought that the same batch of heroin had been ‘retrieved’, mixed with different gear to disguise the ‘look’ and put back out on the street for re-sale.

This time however, it cannot be said for certain that contaminated heroin is the root cause of this illness. It appears that the environment in which you cook up, inadequate hygiene, as well as the drug itself - could all be relevant factors.

Significantly, indications are that this year’s ‘illness’ is not just confined to those who inject into their muscle or skin pop. It now concerns IV drug users as well....

First signs & symptoms:

Inflammation and redness at the injection site - this is usually painful and does not get better.

You will then start to feel very unwell - but not necessarily feverish as was first thought. Other features can be oedema (a swelling under the skin, sometimes extensive), abscess like but with little or no pus - with infection having a black/blistered centre.

Other parts of the body may also become affected. If you get any unusual swelling, redness or inflammation at an injection site, seek medical attention as soon as possible - & take this printout with you.

Protecting Yourself:

This bacterium is spread by injecting contaminated gear or from poor hygiene. The best move is to start smoking and stop injecting your gear.

If you really must inject, then be very careful about hygiene. Make sure that all the equipment you use is as sterile as possible.

Rinse your spoon with cold water, wipe it in one direction with an alcohol swab & use sterile (or boiled then cooled) water when mixing up.

It is important to ensure the space you mix up in also clean - your own personal tray, kept clean, for example, is ideal.

Always try to wash your hands before a hit as bacteria can be present on packaging (bags are often held in peoples mouths, socks, sweaty hands, knickers etc) as well as on spoons, filters & in any contaminated gear.

NEVER bite off a cigarette filter to put in the spoon - the reasons being, that despite being totally unhygienic, some of the specific organisms identified this year are present in the mouth, so don’t use other people’s filters either.

Equally, don’t lick the end of your spike.

If you inject more than one type of drug (coke/heroin), inject each at a separate site on the body, using clean equipment each time. As hard as it may be not to inject ‘cocktails’, it is important to be aware that some drugs like cocaine can give bacteria a better chance to grow).

Use as little citric acid as possible as this is considered to cause damage to the tissues at your injection site.Not only that but it has been proven to actually REDUCE the quality/purity of the heroin - so add it sprinkle by tiny sprinkle.

Keep to your regular dealer or source if possible & tell them & your mates to be particularly vigilant about hygiene. Look out for changes in the appearance or texture of your gear.

Give your GP & your friends a printout of this leaflet