Needle exchange, drug use and harm reduction
- Needle Exchange Schedule- Locations and times for Seattle area needle exchanges.
- En español: Intercambio de jeringas
- En español: Intercambio de jeringas
- Safe and legal disposal of sharps
- Syringes: Where to get them...How to dispose of them...
- Overdose prevention and Public Health's response
Public Health is addressing the opioid epidemic as we would any other health issue—working with partners to prevent overdoses, increasing access to treatment, and providing harm reduction services to reduce the health impacts for people with substance use disorder.
- Wound botulism: Life-threatening infection seen in heroin users
- En español: Infección peligrosa: Botulismo de heridas
- En español: Infección peligrosa: Botulismo de heridas
- When Your Partner Has a Drug or Alcohol Problem
It's tough enough when a friend has a problem with drugs or alcohol. It's even more complicated when your partner does. It's simply harder to see things objectively or to separate yourself from the effect of your partner's addiction when you're so emotionally, physically, and often financially intertwined. He needs help, and you need help. So who's left to help the relationship? - A compendium guide to crystal meth among gay and bisexual men
- Buprenorphine facts and health care provider list
- Buprenorphine Treatment Physician Locator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin.
- Buprenorphine Treatment Physician Locator, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Admin.
- Harm reduction resources for health care providers
- All about abscesses
An abscess is a pocket of pus which means you have an infection. What causes an abscess? Drug shooters often get abscesses on their arms or legs at injection sites.- En español: Todo sobre los abscesos
- En español: Todo sobre los abscesos
- Be Alive Tomorrow
Facts about opiate overdose
- Clostridium facts
Injecting heroin that contains Clostridium can cause serious infection and even death. There is no way to know which heroin has the bacteria and which does not.- En español: Infección de Clostridium
- En español: Infección de Clostridium
- Cotton fever facts
Cotton fever is probably not caused by cotton fibers. It's more likely caused by bacteria that live in the cotton. Cotton can grow a lot of bacteria, especially after it gets wet.- En español: Algodón: Hechos y Recomendaciones
- En español: Algodón: Hechos y Recomendaciones
- Crystal: What You Should Know
For some men, crystal meth is an integral part of gay culture and their personal, social and sexual identities. Unfortunately, it also plays an undeniable role in the rise of HIV, STDs, and addiction in our community.
- Endocarditis
Bacterial endocarditis is an infection in the lining or valves of your heart. Bacteria get into the blood is by using needles that aren't sterile.- En español: Endocarditis: Infección de su corazón
- En español: Endocarditis: Infección de su corazón
- Heroin overdose deaths
King County has seen an unusual rise in heroin-related deaths. To learn more, see the media release and Public Health Warning for heroin users, both issued March 6, 2012.
- Muscling and Skin Popping
Muscling is when you inject into muscle instead of a vein. Skin-popping is when you inject between skin and fat layers. Muscling and skin-popping allow germs to "sit" inside muscle and fat tissue or under the skin. These are great places for abscesses and other infections to brew.- En español: Intramuscular y pinchandose
- En español: Intramuscular y pinchandose
- The Point is the Point: Turn them back in with care
Exposed points are really dangerous. So are broken-off points. They are hard to see and can easily get lost in clothes, carpets, couches, wherever.- En español: El punto ¡es la punta!
- En español: El punto ¡es la punta!
- Stop! Do Not Share!
Sharing works is the same as sharing blood. This happens when you share rigs with someone else.- En español: ¡Para! ¡No compartas!
- En español: ¡Para! ¡No compartas!
- Syringe Disinfection for Injection Drug Users
- What does your needle look like?
Use a brand new needle every time you inject. See microscopic photos of needle tips as they deteriorate after repeated use. Reusing needles increases your chances of getting abscesses, infections and blown veins.- En español: ¿Cómo se ve TU jeringa?
- En español: ¿Cómo se ve TU jeringa?
- Your arms are not hopeless!
Tips from Jason - That Vein Care Guy on how to best find a vein and using syringes.- En español: ¡Tus brazos no están perdidos!
Meet the Needle Exchange Team
The King County Needle Exchange Team with Patty Hayes, Director of Public Health (center)
Link/share our site at www.kingcounty.gov/harm-reduction
Warning: Fentanyl found locally in fake pills
Haga clic aquí para: Advertencia sobre el Fentanilo
See blog post: Illicit Fentanyl found locally in fake opioid pills (10/3/17)
Botulism warning:
Black tar heroin may be contaminated