Safer Inhalation Kits

“It’s definitely one of the really good services that Safeworks offers.”
– Roseline Carter, Community Strategies Team Leader at AIDS Calgary

Safer inhalation kits are notably one of the most popular supplies handed out by Safeworks, said Roseline Carter. The provision of the kits is an important effort in harm reduction amongst street drug users. With clients often returning on a daily basis to obtain the supplies offered, the effort is certainly not in vain.

Harm reduction amongst crack users with the use of the safer inhalation kits focuses on preventing transmission of infections, including HIV and Hepatitis C, by providing clean paraphernalia for drug consumption. Carter says that since the provision of crack pipes within the last two years, popularity of kits and number of clientele has increased a significant amount.

Safer inhalation kits and supplies have been handed out by Safeworks for five years, but have only had pipes available since November 2008. Safeworks Coordinator, Leegay Jagoe, estimates that 20-40 clean crack pipes are handed out each night from the Safeworks van. The van is the only place where the pipes are accessible; however other supplies are available at all of Safeworks’ site locations which include: the Calgary Drop In Centre, Centre of Hope, Sheldon Chumir Health Centre, and the Safeworks van which operates in the evenings.

“People are more interested in the pipe than anything,” said Jagoe. “We are always promoting mouthpieces with [them], though.”

Safeworks primarily operates as a prevention and education program that works with a target population to reduce harm related to HIV and Hepatitis B and C infection, as well as transmission.

What goes into a safer inhalation kit?

Crack pipes
With regular access to pipes, individuals are less likely to share them. Also, since they are usually made of pyrex glass, they are less likely to break or crack and cut the fingers or lips. They also won’t heat up as quickly as metal pipes or release harmful fumes like make-shift pop can pipes.

Push sticks
Push sticks are usually small, thin wooden sticks that help to prevent finger burns when placing crack cocaine into the end of a pipe.

Filters
Filters, often brass, are simply little screens that can be folded up and placed inside a pipe, to prevent any hot/burning matter from being inhaled by the user.

Mouthpieces
Mouthpieces are made of plastic and are placed over the end of a pipe. They protect smokers from burns, as well as infection through blood transference.

Vaseline
An alternative to chapstick, Vaseline keeps lips from getting dry and cracking or burned.

How can I stay safer when smoking crack?

• Avoid sharing pipes
• Use chapstick or Vaseline on your lips often
• Allow pipes to cool before using
• Use clean pipes and screens
• Use a mouthpiece. Mouthpieces can also be formed from pieces of tape, elastic bands, or anything that keeps lips from touching the pipe directly
• Use condoms or dental dams when giving and/or receiving oral sex

For more information on Safeworks visit: http://www.calgaryhealthregion.ca/programs/harmreduction/safeworks.htm


This article was submitted by Jess Howat. Jess was a practicum student at AIDS Calgary in March. She is currently working towards a Communication Studies degree between SAIT and the University of Calgary.