How can injecting drug users reduce their risk of contracting HIV?
Ans: For injecting drug users, certain steps can be taken to reduce personal and public health risks: • Take drugs orally (changing from injecting to non–injecting drug use). • Never re–use or share syringes, water or drug–preparation equipment. • Use a new syringe (obtained from a reliable source, e.g. a chemist or via a needle–exchange programme) to prepare and inject drugs each time. • When preparing drugs, use sterile water or clean water from a reliable source. • Using a fresh alcohol swab, clean the injection site prior to injection.
