Wheel filters for injectors
Filters are a great way to reduce some of the less pleasant possibilities when injecting speed, heroin, benzos or other illicit drugs. They still let the drug through, but get rid of many impurities, fungi and bacteria for a cleaner shot.
Most pills like prescription opiates or benzos have things like chalk and wax in them, and illicit drugs like speed are usually cut with all sorts of stuff you don’t want in your veins. Keeping all the crap out of your blood will help avoid vein problems like collapsed veins abscesses, infections, dirty tastes, disease and septicemia.
Wash your hands and work area. Draw 2ml of sterile water, then fit the filter on and push the water through to moisten the filter.
Prepare your mix with 1ml of water per 1mg of substance. Leave to sit so the mix settles to the bottom, then draw up through a cotton filter using a large guage needle.
Take the large gauge needle off, and place the wheel filter on. Dispose of that used needle properly!
Push the mix through the filter into a clean spoon, or straight into another syringe (with a small tip on so you don’t lose your gear!)
Do not reuse filters and make sure you only ‘pushed’ the mix through the filter. Dispose of everything after use. Now you are ready to inject!
Enjoy! Using filters WILL lessen health risks, but remember snorting, shafting, swallowing or smoking will always be safer than injecting.
Dirty hits
You may like the drug, but a dirty hit can make you very sick. Take it from someone who’s been there...
“I’ve had a dirty hit that made me feel like my brain and skin were on fire, and that my head was going to explode. Dirty hits are dangerous and very frightening, so always use a new filter every time... your life may depend on it!” J.O.
Even reusing a filter four hours later is enough time for bacteria and fungi to appear and cause a dirty hit. Also, some think another hit can sort a dirty one out, but it will probably only make things worse.
Wheel filters fit between the syringe and needle tip and come in a range of sizes to suit your use. They are available for a small charge at all QuIHN NSPs. Staff can show you how to use them too. Remember viruses are too small to be filtered so filters are no excuse to reuse syringes or drop the hygiene standards! Hep C and HIV laugh in the face of even the finest wheel filter.
A few tips on using wheel filters
Bigger syringes a lots of water will make the job easier, say 5ml or 10ml. You should not heat your mix up when using a filter. Always prime the filter with sterile water so it is less likely to clog (see below). Don’t rush the filter, but use a gentle consistent pressure. You can get any dregs out by pushing a little sterile water through the filter, but always the same direction as you put the original mix through. Wheel filters are made to be used once only, and in one direction only.
Which filter?
There are quite a few different sizes around. These sizes are a guide only and will depend on whether what any needle and syringe outlets in your area stock, if any.
0.2 micron wheel filter
The only filter that removes bacteria! Good filter for bake or homebake, crystal amphetamine (white speed), methadone liquid or cocaine.
0.8 micron wheel filter
Suitable for most substances, including MS-Contin, Subutex, Kapanol, Oxy-contin and amphetamine sulphate (brown or discoloured speed).
5.0 micron wheel filter
This is a big mother intended to get rid of the chalk from prescription tablets like benzos, dexamphetamines, physeptone and other recreational drugs like ecstasy. Proceed to the smaller filter after this one.
I don’t have a wheel filter!
If you can’t get a wheel filter from a needle and sryinge outlet in your area, use the filters they can provide. Alternatives such as cigarette filters, cotton wool or tampons involve the risks of injecting small particles that break off as you filter the mix.
