Stay Safe

Need naloxone? Find it here.

Naloxone is a medication that reverses opioid overdoses. It can be purchased from a pharmacy (even without a prescription) or may be distributed by different organizations within your community.

Using alone? Call 800-484-3731.

The Never Use Alone hotline connects you to a person that stays on the line with you while you use. If you become unresponsive, they will call for a first responder.

Sharing syringes? Use bleach.

Bleaching can reduce the likelihood of being exposed to HIV and hepatitis C. Keep scrolling for more information.

Prevention Tips

Haven’t been using? Your tolerance may be lower. Use a smaller amount.

Your tolerance for opioids (like oxy or fentanyl) could lower in as little as 3 – 7 days.

Haven’t used in a couple of months? Use a smaller amount to reduce your chance of overdose.

Use an alcohol wipe.

Before using, wash or sanitize your hands and any surfaces used to prepare the drugs. Then, use an alcohol wipe or soapy water to clean your injection site.

Switching veins or the manner in which you use (smoking or snorting instead of injecting) can decrease the chance of getting abscesses or other infections.

Use new syringes, pipes, straws and other works.

It is best not to reuse or share needles as well as other drug use equipment like cottons, cookers, ties, water, snorting straws or pipes. If you are sharing or reusing, rinse your syringe with sterile water and bleach.

Infections like HIV and hepatitis C can be transmitted through a small amount of blood from someone else’s body. This means even if you are not sharing a syringe, you can be exposed to blood from other drug use equipment.

If you are actively using drugs, testing for HIV and hepatitis C every six months can help keep you healthy.

Avoid using alone.

When using, never isolate yourself. You can also call the Never Use Alone hotline (800-484-3731) for someone to stay on the line and call for a first responder if become unresponsive.

Test your drugs and use slowly.

Doing a tester shot, or using a smaller amount of a drug, can help you decide how strong your supply is and reduce the chance of overdose or overamping.

Space out your doses to figure out how the substance affects you.

There has been an increase of fentanyl found in stimulants, like cocaine, as well as pills purchased in street-based economies. Test drugs with a fentanyl test strip, when possible.

Take Turns using.

When you are in a group, take turns using so someone is able to use naloxone and respond to emergencies.

Rest, eat, and hydrate.

Your health impacts how your body is able to respond to overdose and overamping. Be sure to rest, eat and hydrate.

Dispose of used equipment safely.

If you are unable to dispose of used syringes in a biohazard bin, you can protect others by putting used injection equipment in a strong container with a secure top (like a laundry detergent bottle). Tape it closed and label it: "Sharps, Do Not Recycle".

Keep naloxone with you, and call 911.

Naloxone reverses the effects of an opioid overdose. Find it in your community, or have it mailed to you by clicking here.

Remember Missouri’s Good Samaritan Law protects you and the person overdosing from arrest for possession of drugs and drug paraphernalia.

Be aware of skin infections, abscesses and other wounds.

Try to keep wounds covered and wash them regularly with soap and water. If you have a fever or chills, seek medical care as soon as possible. Need more information? Click here.

Access healthcare.

A trusted medical provider can help you make the best decisions for your health.

Health services, like HIV and hepatitis C testing, PrEP/PEP, or hepatitis A and B vaccines, may be available at your local health department or community health center for little or no cost.

Harm Reduction Resources

HIV & Hepatitis Information

General Information and Referrals

Data

Laws

Missouri Information

Need Training or more Information?

Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is able to provide more information as well as training or presentation opportunities that cover the topics of harm reduction, HIV, viral hepatitis, and STDs. For more information, or to request a presentation, send an email to HarmReduction@health.mo.gov.