Harm Reduction Needle exchanges: how do most of them operate and what are your experiences?

[Captain.Heroin]

My new friend/recent connect I met who exchanged 800-1000 needles just goes every few months with them and swaps. I;ve gone three times, each time I get 20 more than I can with. They will give you 20 for free without dropping anything and I usually drop some and ask for the extra 20 so I keep building up my supply since I switch between using their 28 Gs and buying 31Gs at the pharmacy so I keeo getting more and more. I wish they had 31G, when I went today the guy said that they didn't have them for me yet implying they were going to get some.

C.H.- I got my 10 pack of 10ml luer lock syringes with the plastic cannula tips for $8 shipped on ebay. At the exchange I found out they have 3ml luer lock syringes with 22g 1.5" needles plus 1ml syringes with 1" 25g needles that are luer lock but it slides onto the 1ml syringe which itself does not have a luer, so I'm going to use those needles with my 10mls.

Now I have a question about how you store your filtered solution, how do you keep it sterile if it is constantly being opened and reused? I was originally going to get resealable vials/media bottles but that concerns me. If you get the sterile sealed ones what does the top look like and how does it work? I know you need the needles to fill them but how do you fill them and extract solution if they are air tight? Are they vaccumm sealed? How many times can you draw fluid out of them before breaking the sterile seal? I think I would want to go with the vial route and make my solution batch and put it into 5 or so sterile vials that I could use for 4-7 days each if that would work. I am hesitant on using one big bottle that could easily get bacteria and other contaminants in it every time it is open to the air.

Your 10mL syringes are probably the most convenient to filter with; they can process the most volume at once.

Since I am currently using a media bottle, I can't exactly keep it sterile. I have to open it at least once a day or slightly less, so I just have to quickly draw what I need out of it and screw the top on. The lid screws on like a giant plastic coke 2 litre cap, except it stays pretty tight on there once it's on.

I'm going to use a vial next time, so that it'll stay sterile as long as I sterilize the rubber top every time I need to put in a new needle through the opening.

If you are concerned about contaminants in the air, I suggest buying a HEPA air filtration system. When you prepare your solution, you'll want the air to be clean in the environment you prepare it in anyways, so having a way to clean the air around where you're going to be working is a great thing.

 

[Artificial Emotion]

I know this is slightly off topic, but I thought people who are into their IV drug use like Oxymorphone and Captain Heroin might be interested. From a chemical supply company I purchased these devices called butterfly needles or winged infusion sets. I know you guys probably have a good IV admin. technique, but sometimes people still nevertheless slip out and de-register. With these butterfly needles that problem isn't an issue and you can get about two shots in one, maybe even three if you're using cocaine, which can therefore reduce venous damage. For people like me, with little IV experience they are a godsend as shots don't have to be wasted through filling with blood.

 

[Oxymorphone]

Is there a real difference between 25mm .20 Whatman and 33mm .20 Puradisk filters? I am about to order 4 whatmans and 2 of the puradisk to compare.

 

[Oxymorphone]

I wish my exchange carried these:

http://www.exchangesupplies.org/needle_exchange_supplies/sterifilt/sterifilt_intro.html

It looks like a single use micron filter and is perfect for most people's need unlike the luer lock microns which are expensive and are really only suited for prepping long term solutions, and the only application for that seems to be bupe. I guess you could do it to filter a bunch of pills if you had them but this seems perfect for the average user that just wants a one time filter for whatever one or two pills or just street drugs they are IVing at the moment.

 

[lazylazyjoe]

I go to the exchange in Atlantic city, NJ. They have 25 - 29 guage. They just started carrying the BD brand, which are nicer than the single sealed ones they also have. No micron filters, no narcan. They do give you a goody bag with all the normal stuff(cooker,cotton,wipes,water,etc), I always called it the "junky on the go" kit, just add dope They're pretty good about how much you get too. If you honestly say to them, you need "X" amount, they'll usually give it to you if you return your sets. Before exchanges were legal in NJ I had to go the Philly exchange and they were strict. What you brought plus 10. They gave out narcan though. I really need more of that. If people shoot at your house, it's a must have!
If you can't get narcan, suboxone can replace it in an emergency. I would assume it's the bup doing the work as it has a higher affinity than narcan, but it worked for me. There was an OD at my house, I administered 1/3 pill IV and it brought her out right quick.
I've been caught several times with dirty sets on me, and was never arrested for it; infact they didn't even check my card. That was in Atlantic City though, I suspect outside the city they are stricter.
As a sidenote, the first time I ever went to an exchange, I put my syringes in a trash bag. I handed it to the girl and said I have 3, and she said without delay, "ok 300, what type would you like". Stupid me, I replied that I only had 3. I still got 13 though.

 

[Sweet P]

My city has an excellent needle exchange. It isn't a discreet building - it even has a sign on the front saying "Needle Exchange Service" - but it's located on a quiet street that doesn't get much traffic or pedestrians passing by. It's open normal business hours, but has a vending machine around the back which can be accessed any time. They sell practically every type of needle/syringe available, as well as sterile water, swabs, filters, and tourniquets. They also give you a discount whenever you return used needles.

 

[Oxymorphone]

My city has an excellent needle exchange. It isn't a discreet building - it even has a sign on the front saying "Needle Exchange Service" - but it's located on a quiet street that doesn't get much traffic or pedestrians passing by. It's open normal business hours, but has a vending machine around the back which can be accessed any time. They sell practically every type of needle/syringe available, as well as sterile water, swabs, filters, and tourniquets. They also give you a discount whenever you return used needles.

Wait you have to PAY at your exchange and get discounts, wtf is that nonsense? That's far from harm reduction, exchanges should be free, always.

My exchange lets you take as much of the supplies as you want. they have bags and there is a sign that says take what you need and no one is watching over you or cares how much you take. I mean look at the pics I posted, I've gotten hundreds of dollars worth of gear from there in a few weeks. As for needles the general rule is what you put in +20 or just 20 with nothing but thye are lax about it and if you ask for more they will give them and if you have 25 and say you think around 30 or so they sometimes just call it 40.

 

[Sweet P]

Wait you have to PAY at your exchange and get discounts, wtf is that nonsense? That's far from harm reduction, exchanges should be free, always.

My exchange lets you take as much of the supplies as you want. they have bags and there is a sign that says take what you need and no one is watching over you or cares how much you take. I mean look at the pics I posted, I've gotten hundreds of dollars worth of gear from there in a few weeks. As for needles the general rule is what you put in +20 or just 20 with nothing but thye are lax about it and if you ask for more they will give them and if you have 25 and say you think around 30 or so they sometimes just call it 40.

The needles only cost a few cents each... and like I say, if you return a used one, you get a discount. Seems reasonable to me.

 

[Jabberwocky]

^do you guys have free exchanges at hospitals or they make you pay regardless? if that's the case, even though they're a few cents each, i find a little unfair. but great that you have the access to clean equipment

 

[Oxymorphone]

The needles only cost a few cents each... and like I say, if you return a used one, you get a discount. Seems reasonable to me.

I guess that's not bad and better than nothing, but I think for alot of people tehy might be put off just by the idea of paying and it might encourage people to re-use needles more of they have to pay for supplies from an exchange. I don't mind paying $3 for a 10 pack of the 31Gs I like that can't get at the exchange but a lot of the people who go there are destitute and they need every last cent for their next fix so fresh needles and supplies become secondary if they need to pay.

 

[m3trigun]

heres the pic

needle exchanges in chicago give out the exact same stuff, the little metal cookers that look like tops of alcohol bottles. bags of 27g 1/2in 1cc needles. and individ wrapped 29 gauge 1/2in 1cc needles. they are very cool aboout it too. i like to cut a little handle in the metal cooker so when i cook it i can hold it far away, i wish i can visit more, closest place the truck stops is 30min from my house once a week.

 

[Oxymorphone]

needle exchanges in chicago give out the exact same stuff, the little metal cookers that look like tops of alcohol bottles. bags of 27g 1/2in 1cc needles. and individ wrapped 29 gauge 1/2in 1cc needles. they are very cool aboout it too. i like to cut a little handle in the metal cooker so when i cook it i can hold it far away, i wish i can visit more, closest place the truck stops is 30min from my house once a week.

You're lucky you can get 29, smallest we can get at this one is 28. i'm going to register at another exchange too. there are quite a few so I can go exchange hopping in nyc to try to find 30 or 31s and get a real nice supply of needles..

30min away is nothing it just sucks it's only once a week. Just be sure to stock up. The individually wrapped stuff I get are big 25g luer lock 1ml and 22g 3ml luer lock syringe I got for micron filtering.the only thing needles that big are going into are vial tops and even the 22 is big for that and seems like it would tear the seal up which is why I got their 1ml with 25g luer neede to attach to it or my 10mls.

 

[lazylazyjoe]

I wish my exchange had normal hours. it's 10-2 on Tues and Thurs. That's it. Atleast when I went to philly (hour long trip), they had an exchange almost everyday. But, they were always in different spots and in an RV out in the open. I really prefer visting an actual building. Plus, it's right across from the methadone clinic. So, I used to be able to get two things done at once. No more methadone though, very bad experience with that program...
It sucks that I live in one of the very few states that you need a script to buy sets. Almost every state you can walk right in and get them, or atleast buy them online. I used to stop at as many places as I could when I was working on Staten Island to get my 10 packs, 31 gauge. On the plus side, you can sell your sets or even trade for bags since they're hard to get for most people!
I don't know why exchanges insist on low gauges. I only get 1cc sets and the smallest they used to carry was 27, those hurt. I always hated trtying to fit 7 bags, or multiple pills, in a 1/2 cc. Now they have 29, but I get the 28s because they're a higher quality brand.

 

[Captain.Heroin]

The needles only cost a few cents each... and like I say, if you return a used one, you get a discount. Seems reasonable to me.

Yeah, I'd rather pay a few cents per needle and actually get 31G needles.

the only thing needles that big are going into are vial tops and even the 22 is big for that and seems like it would tear the seal up which is why I got their 1ml with 25g luer neede to attach to it or my 10mls.

I use an 18G needle, and it doesn't rip up the stopper to vials for me.

 

[HdoubleODeezy]

I wish my exchange carried these:

http://www.exchangesupplies.org/needle_exchange_supplies/sterifilt/sterifilt_intro.html

It looks like a single use micron filter and is perfect for most people's need unlike the luer lock microns which are expensive and are really only suited for prepping long term solutions, and the only application for that seems to be bupe. I guess you could do it to filter a bunch of pills if you had them but this seems perfect for the average user that just wants a one time filter for whatever one or two pills or just street drugs they are IVing at the moment.

I'd be down to pitch in to buy those.. i heard it's like $200 for 1000 of em.. a few BLers could pitch in and we can split them all up.

 

[Sweet P]

^do you guys have free exchanges at hospitals or they make you pay regardless? if that's the case, even though they're a few cents each, i find a little unfair. but great that you have the access to clean equipment

Not sure about the hospitals... I've always just used the exchange.

Yeah, I'd rather pay a few cents per needle and actually get 31G needles.

Yeah, the local exchange has pretty much every sized needle available, plus all the accessories like filters and swabs. That's why I don't mind paying a few cents. I think it's a very small price to pay for good clean equipment.

 

[Peanut21]

I love it. they deliver on fridays here and they give classes on how to give noloxone (sp?) then supply you with it. also give free aids/std/hep test. its an amazing program the state has