Safer Injecting Advice

Injecting substances carries risks, including infection, vein damage, and overdose. Safer injecting advice is about reducing those risks as much as possible, protecting your health, and helping you stay safe.

You do not have to stop injecting, or be in treatment, to access harm reduction advice or equipment from Wirral Ways.

Why safer injecting matters

Using unclean or shared injecting equipment can lead to:

  • HIV and Hepatitis B or C

  • Abscesses and infections

  • Vein damage and circulation problems

  • Increased overdose risk

Using new, sterile equipment every time significantly reduces these risks.

Always use new, sterile equipment

Every injection should use:

  • A new needle and syringe

  • A new spoon or cooker

  • A new filter

  • Clean water (preferably sterile)

Never share any injecting equipment, even with someone you trust. Sharing can still pass on infections.

Needle and Syringe Programme (NSP) services provide free, confidential access to sterile equipment.

Preparing to inject safely

Before injecting:

  • Wash your hands with soap and water

  • Clean the injection site with an alcohol wipe

  • Use clean, well-lit surroundings

  • Take your time and avoid rushing

Good preparation reduces infection and injury risk.

Choosing and caring for injection sites

Rotating sites

  • Rotate injection sites regularly

  • Avoid injecting into the same place repeatedly

  • Allow sites time to heal

Repeated use of the same site increases vein damage and infection risk.

Areas to avoid

  • Avoid injecting into groin, neck, or deep veins

  • Avoid swollen, painful, or infected areas

If you are unsure, seek advice before injecting.

Injecting safely

Harm reduction advice includes:

  • Inject slowly to reduce vein damage

  • Avoid injecting if you feel unwell, very tired, or intoxicated

  • Use smaller test doses, especially after a break

  • Never inject alone if possible

If opioids are involved, carry naloxone and ensure someone knows how to use it.

After injecting

After injecting:

  • Apply gentle pressure with a clean swab

  • Do not lick the injection site

  • Dispose of used equipment immediately in a sharps bin

  • Monitor the site for signs of infection

Signs of infection or complications

Seek medical advice if you notice:

  • Redness, swelling, or warmth

  • Pain or pus at the injection site

  • Fever or flu-like symptoms

  • Darkening or hardening of veins

Early treatment prevents serious complications.

Overdose risk and injecting

Injecting delivers substances into the bloodstream quickly, increasing overdose risk.

Risk is higher:

  • After a break or reduced use

  • When mixing substances

  • When using alone

  • When strength or purity is unknown

Use smaller test doses and avoid mixing substances where possible.

Disposal of used equipment

Safe disposal protects you and others.

  • Use sharps bins provided by NSP services

  • Do not dispose of needles in household waste

  • Return full sharps bins to NSP sites

Support from Wirral Ways

Wirral Ways provides confidential, non-judgemental support for people who inject drugs.

You can access:

  • Needle and syringe services

  • Safer injecting advice

  • Naloxone

  • BBV testing and vaccination signposting

  • Health checks and one-to-one support

You do not have to stop injecting to get support.

Get support

If you would like advice on safer injecting, equipment, or your health, contact Wirral Ways to find out what support is available.

Looking after your health matters. Support is here for you.

Last Updated on 10 February 2026