Drug use is the consumption of substances that alter your mind and body, how you see, hear, feel or think. This includes both legal substances (like tobacco/vapes and some prescription medications if used other than as directed by a healthcare professional) and illegal substances (like heroin, cannabis and cocaine).
The harm reduction approach acknowledges that while all drug use carries risk, there are ways to minimise those risks for people who do not currently want to stop using drugs, or who are struggling to stop. Harm reduction approaches can help us begin to take more control of our health in what can sometimes feel like chaotic situations.
Drug Use
Understanding Drug Use
Here are some general tips that may help keep you and those close to you, safer
Mood and Mindset
Your mood, or how you feel has a massive impact on the effect of drugs. If you’re feeling down or anxious, taking something probably won’t help and may make you feel worse. You may also feel less able to control what and how much you take. Going for a walk, doing some exercise, or talking to a friend can help improve your mood. You can also access help from any of the organisations detailed below.
Don’t use alone
If you experience an overdose or other complications when using drugs alone, you may not be able to get the help you need. Always have someone with you who can help if something goes wrong.
Drug Checker
Drug testing kits (and some services) can help you identify what's in the substance or drug, you're about to use. This can sometimes help prevent accidental overdoses, adverse reactions and bad trips.
www.wedinos.org
www.bdp.org.uk/get-information/drugs-information
Start Small
Start with a small dose and wait, to see how your body reacts. Avoid using drugs that you're not familiar with, as they can be unpredictable.
Don’t Mix Drugs
Combining different substances can be dangerous and increase the risk of harmful side effects. Stick to one substance at a time! The site below lets you find out how different drugs interact. Bear in mind some prescription medicines can also interact with illegal drugs, increasing the risk of harm. This might include some painkillers and medicines for depression and other mental health problems, and using alcohol alongside illegal drugs can also increase the risk of harm.
combo.tripsit.me
Overdose
Signs of opiate overdose can include pinpoint-pupils, pale skin colour, blue tinge to lips and fingernails, breathing problems like slow or shallow breaths, not breathing, snoring deeply – this is often mistaken for sleeping.
Naloxone or Prenoxad can be used to counter the effect of an opiate overdose and can be administered easily by anyone if you think someone is experiencing an overdose. For more information on opiate overdose, and accessing naloxone, follow this link.
Learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to respond. Always carry naloxone if you or someone you know is at risk of opioid overdose. Other drugs will show a variety of signs of overdose, more information can be found here.
General Advice
Never drive or operate heavy machinery after using drugs. Impaired judgment and coordination can lead to accidents. Keep drugs out of reach of children and pets. Store them in a safe place to prevent accidental ingestion. Stay informed about the risks and effects of drug use. Share this information with friends and family to help them make safer choices.
Seek Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug use, seek help from a healthcare professional or a local support service. There are many local services and online resources available to provide support and treatment.
Drug and alcohol support in Dundee
Alcohol Tayside
Hillcrest Futures - Substance Use Support
Young People
The Corner
Hillcrest Futures - Support for Young People
Injection Equipment Provision
Injection Equipment Provision (IEP) is a service that provides people who inject drugs with clean needles, syringes and other injection paraphernalia such as water, spoons and filters. They can also provide foil for smoking drugs. These services were previously known as Needle Exchanges.
Injecting Equipment Provision
We offer a postal IEP service ‘Pins by Post’ to Tayside residents. This service is only available for people who live in Tayside and are over 18.
Pins By Post
Your mood, or how you feel has a massive impact on the effect of drugs. If you’re feeling down or anxious, taking something probably won’t help and may make you feel worse. You may also feel less able to control what and how much you take. Going for a walk, doing some exercise, or talking to a friend can help improve your mood. You can also access help from any of the organisations detailed below.
Don’t use alone
If you experience an overdose or other complications when using drugs alone, you may not be able to get the help you need. Always have someone with you who can help if something goes wrong.
Drug Checker
Drug testing kits (and some services) can help you identify what's in the substance or drug, you're about to use. This can sometimes help prevent accidental overdoses, adverse reactions and bad trips.
www.wedinos.org
www.bdp.org.uk/get-information/drugs-information
Start Small
Start with a small dose and wait, to see how your body reacts. Avoid using drugs that you're not familiar with, as they can be unpredictable.
Don’t Mix Drugs
Combining different substances can be dangerous and increase the risk of harmful side effects. Stick to one substance at a time! The site below lets you find out how different drugs interact. Bear in mind some prescription medicines can also interact with illegal drugs, increasing the risk of harm. This might include some painkillers and medicines for depression and other mental health problems, and using alcohol alongside illegal drugs can also increase the risk of harm.
combo.tripsit.me
Overdose
Signs of opiate overdose can include pinpoint-pupils, pale skin colour, blue tinge to lips and fingernails, breathing problems like slow or shallow breaths, not breathing, snoring deeply – this is often mistaken for sleeping.
Naloxone or Prenoxad can be used to counter the effect of an opiate overdose and can be administered easily by anyone if you think someone is experiencing an overdose. For more information on opiate overdose, and accessing naloxone, follow this link.
Learn how to recognize the signs of an overdose and how to respond. Always carry naloxone if you or someone you know is at risk of opioid overdose. Other drugs will show a variety of signs of overdose, more information can be found here.
General Advice
Never drive or operate heavy machinery after using drugs. Impaired judgment and coordination can lead to accidents. Keep drugs out of reach of children and pets. Store them in a safe place to prevent accidental ingestion. Stay informed about the risks and effects of drug use. Share this information with friends and family to help them make safer choices.
Seek Help
If you or someone you know is struggling with drug use, seek help from a healthcare professional or a local support service. There are many local services and online resources available to provide support and treatment.
Drug and alcohol support in Dundee
Alcohol Tayside
Hillcrest Futures - Substance Use Support
Young People
The Corner
Hillcrest Futures - Support for Young People
Injection Equipment Provision
Injection Equipment Provision (IEP) is a service that provides people who inject drugs with clean needles, syringes and other injection paraphernalia such as water, spoons and filters. They can also provide foil for smoking drugs. These services were previously known as Needle Exchanges.
Injecting Equipment Provision
We offer a postal IEP service ‘Pins by Post’ to Tayside residents. This service is only available for people who live in Tayside and are over 18.
Pins By Post
Further Information
NHS Inform - Drugs and drug use
Harm Reduction - practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing the harms from using drugs
Local Information
Dundee - Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership
Angus - Alcohol and Drugs, help and support in Angus
Perth & Kinross - Alcohol and Drugs Team
Harm Reduction - practical strategies and ideas aimed at reducing the harms from using drugs
Local Information
Dundee - Dundee Alcohol and Drug Partnership
Angus - Alcohol and Drugs, help and support in Angus
Perth & Kinross - Alcohol and Drugs Team