{"id":57661,"date":"2021-03-28T09:54:14","date_gmt":"2021-03-28T09:54:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.ascert.biz\/?p=57661"},"modified":"2021-03-28T10:22:39","modified_gmt":"2021-03-28T10:22:39","slug":"covid19-harm-reduction-advice-for-drug-users-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/covid19-harm-reduction-advice-for-drug-users-2\/","title":{"rendered":"COVID19: Harm Reduction Advice for Drug Users"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.22&#8243;][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;3.27.4&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221;][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;27px|||||&#8221; column_structure=&#8221;1_2,1_2&#8243;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;1_2&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.9.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<h4><em>The following information has been compiled from advice available from the<a href=\"https:\/\/harmreduction.org\/\"><span>\u00a0<\/span>US Harm Reduction Coalition<\/a>,<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.crew.scot\/\">Crew2000<\/a>,<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/transformdrugs.org\/\">Transform Drug Policy Foundation<\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>and<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.extern.org\/\">extern<\/a>.\u00a0<\/em><\/h4>\n<h4>All drug use has risks. Please bear in mind that now is a particularly risky time to take drugs. This page is for information only and does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have medical concerns about your drug use, please speak to a medical professional.<\/h4>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<div>\n<div>\n<p>Most drug using behaviours can increase the risks of Covid-19 transmission but basic and sensible precautions can reduce these risks. Everyone should follow existing Covid-19 transmission prevention advice and established harm reduction practice, avoiding close contact with others, being particularly careful about hygiene when preparing or using substances and not sharing drugs or equipment.<\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-family: montserrat; font-size: 22px; font-weight: bold;\">The symptoms of coronavirus are:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>a cough<\/li>\n<li>fever (high temperature)<\/li>\n<li>shortness of breath<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness\u00a0as\u00a0the symptoms are\u00a0similar to\u00a0other viruses like the cold and flu.<\/p>\n<h3>The best ways\u00a0to\u00a0prevent spreading the virus are\u00a0to:<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or sneeze\/cough into your elbow\u00a0\u2013 bin any tissues straight away.<\/li>\n<li>Wash your hands with soap and water often \u2013 washing them for at least 20 seconds. When\u00a0soap and water are not available \u2013 use\u00a0alcohol-based\u00a0hand sanitiser.<\/li>\n<li>Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell and limit your own contact with other people if you suspect any of the symptoms.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid touching your\u00a0face\u00a0if your hands are not clean.<\/li>\n<li>Clean and disinfect any frequently touched objects and surfaces,\u00a0including\u00a0your phone.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>People who do not have symptoms may still have the virus and be able to pass it on to others.\u00a0It is important that we all take care to reduce the spread of viruses.<\/p>\n<p>Some people are more vulnerable to the effects of transmission than others. However EVERYONE has a responsibility to do what they can to prevent spreading the virus. People over 65 and people with certain pre-existing medical conditions (including heart disease, respiratory illness, diabetes, or people who are immuno-compromised) are particularly to vulnerable to coronavirus.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_text=&#8221;Download infographic&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.9.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; button_alignment=&#8221;center&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column _builder_version=&#8221;4.9.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; type=&#8221;1_2&#8243;][et_pb_image src=&#8221;https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/HR-infographic-image.png&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.9.2&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; title_text=&#8221;HR infographic image&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; custom_padding=&#8221;27px|||||&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;3.25&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.9.2&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; hover_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243; sticky_enabled=&#8221;0&#8243;]<div>\n<div>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h3>General health advice if you\u2019re taking drugs<\/h3>\n<p>It is important to keep your immune system as strong as possible. IF you are using drugs you can help your immune system by:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Resting well before and after you use<\/li>\n<li>Staying hydrated<\/li>\n<li>Eating nutritious well-balanced meals before and after you use<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Smoking and drinking<\/h3>\n<p>Covid-19 can be spread via saliva, and via hard surfaces, hand to mouth. Inhaling drugs can damage the mouth, throat and lungs and can cause breathing difficulties, wheezing, chest pain and shortness of breath. Smoking drugs during times of respiratory infection\u00a0is discouraged as this\u00a0could make the infectio<\/p>\n<p>n worse and slow down healing.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Avoid sharing cigarettes, joints, pipes, bongs, vapes, glasses, cups and bottles.<\/li>\n<li>If smoking from foil, use clean foil each time.<\/li>\n<li>Keep all pipes and bongs clean and disinfect them regularly.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Snorting<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Wash your hands with soap, or at least use hand sanitiser \u2013 every time \u2013 before handling, preparing, or using drugs.<\/li>\n<li>Clean surfaces before preparing lines \u2013 with a damp soapy cloth and\/or alcohol wipe. This is especially important for hard surfaces that come into contact with hands\/people \u2013 including phone screens, toilets etc.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid sharing snorting equipment (including spoons, keys etc); use your own straw (different colours to avoid mix ups), or rolled paper (then throw away after use \u2013 so avoid using banknotes which are more likely to get re-used).<\/li>\n<li>Sharing snorting equipment can also spread other viruses (colds and flu), infections, and HepC, so this is sensible longer term harm reduction<\/li>\n<li>Avoid sharing \/ passing around stash bag or box, and avoid dabbing powder with fingers<\/li>\n<li>Chop powders as finely as possible before snorting- this reduces risk of soft tissue abrasions that can increase likelihood of transmission. This (and having a nasal douche after snorting) also reduces likelihood of irritation that can cause runny-nose and sneezing later (people could think you have coronavirus even if you don\u2019t!)<\/li>\n<li>And no, cocaine most definitely does not kill coronavirus<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Injecting<\/h3>\n<p>People who use opioids or inject drugs are at greater risk.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Make sure you have naloxone to hand, in case you overdose.<\/li>\n<li>Follow established harm reduction guidance to avoid blood borne virus transmission, but take additional care with general hygiene and hand washing, when handling preparing or using drugs.<\/li>\n<li>Covid-19 infection can compromise the respiratory system \u2013 making respiratory failure\/crisis more likely in opioid overdose.<\/li>\n<li>Only use clean needles and supplies. Free, clean needles are available from\u202fneedle exchange services. If needle exchange services are disrupted, you can buy injecting equipment online.<\/li>\n<li>Wash injection sites (before and after).<\/li>\n<li>Avoid holding syringe in your mouth whilst preparing to inject<\/li>\n<li>Avoid sharing equipment (including needles, filters, containers, spoons and water) \u2013 use coloured coded equipment so you don\u2019t get mixed up.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Swallowing<\/h3>\n<p>If mixed into a drink, avoid sharing bottles\/cups. Make sure it is marked so no one accidentally drinks it and never leave your drink unattended.<\/p>\n<h3>Dabbing<\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li>Wash your hands before each \u2018dab\u2019.<\/li>\n<li>Avoid \u2018dabbing\u2019 from shared bags of drugs.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Supply<\/h3>\n<p>Be mindful of potential impacts of the crisis on drug markets, drug and hospital services and pharmacy provision \u2013 make plans for likely disruption and potential drug shortages; stock up on drugs, medication, hygiene supplies etc<\/p>\n<h3>Naloxone<\/h3>\n<p>There is an elevated risk of COVID-19 transmission from responding to an overdose, not so much from giving naloxone but from giving CPR or putting person in recovery position. Wear gloves and other PPE if possible, only give rescue breaths if you have a barrier device like a pocket mask and keep your face and hands away from the casualty&#8217;s mouth as much as possible. Where possible the rescuer should advise all others in the immediate area to stand back at least 2 metres away as the natural curiosity or stress tends to mean people step in close to see what&#8217;s going on.<\/p>\n<p>For<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>guidance on naloxone administration during the COVID19<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>pandemic see<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.extern.org\/administering-naloxone-coronavirus%20\">https:\/\/www.extern.org\/administering-naloxone-coronavirus%20<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For information on<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>how to get take home naloxone<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>see<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.publichealth.hscni.net\/publications\/take-home-naloxone\">https:\/\/www.publichealth.hscni.net\/publications\/take-home-naloxone<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For details of<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>Needle\/Syringe Exchange Scheme locations<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>across Northern Ireland see<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/services.drugsandalcoholni.info\/treatment-support?f%5B0%5D=field_treatment_and_support_serv%3A112\">http:\/\/services.drugsandalcoholni.info\/treatment-support?f%5B0%5D=field_treatment_and_support_serv%3A112<\/a><\/p>\n<p>For<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>further harm reduction information<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>see this pdf produced by the Harm Reduction Alliance<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/harmreduction.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/COVID19-safer-drug-use-1.pdf\">https:\/\/harmreduction.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/03\/COVID19-safer-drug-use-1.pdf<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Information on all<span>\u00a0<\/span><strong>drug and alcohol support services<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>can be found at<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.drugsandalcoholni.info\/\">www.drugsandalcoholni.info<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The following information has been compiled from advice available from the\u00a0US Harm Reduction Coalition,\u00a0Crew2000,\u00a0Transform Drug Policy Foundation\u00a0and\u00a0extern.\u00a0 All drug use has risks. Please bear in mind that now is a particularly risky time to take drugs. This page is for information only and does not constitute or replace medical advice. If you have medical concerns [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4915,"featured_media":57671,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"The Probation Board for Northern Ireland (PBNI) is partnering with ASCERT to provide a \u2018Rapid Response Addiction Service\u2019 to people under probation supervision.\n\n[caption id=\"attachment_54300\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"300\"]<img class=\"wp-image-54300 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/RRRAS-300x169.jpeg\" alt=\"\" width=\"300\" height=\"169\"> ASCERT Chief Executive and PBNI Assistant Director Stephen Hamilton[\/caption]\n\nThe purpose of this partnership, which commenced in November 2019, is to ensure there is a rapid response offered so that service users presenting in crisis can be referred to a support service for counselling or intervention within 48 hours for initial support and assessment. They will then be offered a 12-week intervention and support programme tailored to the needs of the individual.\n\nThe project will target males and females from the age of 18 and above who are subject to probation supervision. Funding is currently available to work with 300 people.\n\nPBNI Assistant Director Stephen Hamilton commented:&nbsp;<em><strong>\u201c76% of people assessed by PBNI have an alcohol or drugs offending related problem. There is a well-established link between drugs, alcohol and crime. In fact, one of the biggest factors that influences whether someone will reoffend is their use of drugs and alcohol. Therefore, tackling this type of behaviour is a priority for probation. It is really important that we are able to quickly respond to crisis situations at whatever time they occur and we believe that this new partnership will help us respond to those in crisis and ultimately rehabilitate people and prevent then re-offending in the future.<\/strong><\/em>\n\n<em><strong>\u201cMany of the people we work with have complex needs, such as drug and alcohol addiction combined with chaotic personal lifestyles, homelessness, mental health issues, and and deficits in family and community support. We hope that the interventions provided will also help to impact on some of the related issues.\u201d<\/strong><\/em>\n\nASCERT Chief Executive, Gary McMichael speaking about the new service said:&nbsp;<em><strong>\u201cASCERT provides services across Northern Ireland that address the impact of alcohol and drugs related issues. We are committed to ensuring individuals, families and communities are supported in the most effective way to deal with the challenges they face. It is important that when people with addiction issues are at a point of crisis they can get the right help quickly in order to stabilise the situation and avoid things becoming uncontrollable, but that can be difficult because of waiting times for services. This partnership with PBNI is an innovative project that will ensure that its service users can get support at the time when they really need it.\u201d<\/strong><\/em>","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[272,274],"tags":[268,345,343,266,344],"class_list":["post-57661","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","category-professional-news","tag-addiction","tag-covid","tag-harm-reduction","tag-services","tag-users"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57661","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4915"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=57661"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/57661\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/57671"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=57661"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=57661"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devserva.inicodigital.com\/maina\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=57661"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}