The safest needle and syringe depends on what you’re injecting, how much you’re injecting, and where you’re injecting. Using the right equipment reduces damage, lowers infection risk, and makes the process easier.

Syringes we provide

• 1ml fixed syringes – ready-made with needle attached; best for small amounts and thin liquids (most common for injecting into a vein).

• 1ml luer lock or luer slip – you can change the needle to suit what you’re doing.

• 2ml luer lock or luer slip – useful for larger amounts or intramuscular (IM) injections.

• 5ml luer lock or luer slip – used for bigger volumes, especially steroids or other IM use.

Needles we provide

• Orange 25G, 16mm (5/8 inch) – short, thin. Best for surface veins or under the skin (subcutaneous).

• Orange 25G, 25mm (1 inch) – thin, standard length. For deeper veins, small IM injections.

• Blue 23G, 25mm (1 inch) – thicker. Good for IM into arms/thighs, or drawing up thicker solutions.

• Blue 23G, 32mm (1 1/4 inch) – longer; used for IM in larger muscles (e.g. buttock).

• Green 21G, 38mm (1 1/2 inch) – thickest and longest. Best for deep IM into large muscles (glute).

Drawing up (preparing)

• Illicit/injecting into a vein (IV):

  • Use a filter and sterile water wherever possible.

  • Draw up with a green (21G) or blue (23G) needle – they’re thicker, so less likely to blunt or clog.

  • Swap to a fresh, thinner needle (usually orange 25G) before injecting.

• Steroids / thicker solutions:

  • Use a green 21G needle to draw up – it’s wide enough to handle oil-based liquids.

  • Switch to a blue 23G or orange 25G (depending on site and muscle size) for injecting.

⚠️ Always change needles after drawing up – the needle used to pierce vials, filters, or spoons will blunt, and blunted needles cause vein/muscle damage.

Injecting

Into a vein (IV) – usually heroin, crack, other illicit drugs

• Best syringe: 1ml fixed or 1ml luer slip.

• Best needle: Orange 25G (16mm for surface veins, 25mm for deeper veins).

• Use the smallest needle possible to reduce vein damage.

• Rotate injection sites and avoid groin/neck where risks are higher.

Into a muscle (IM) – usually steroids, some other drugs

• Best syringe: 2ml or 5ml (depending on volume).

• Best needle:

  • Arm/thigh: Blue 23G, 25mm.

  • Buttock: Blue 23G, 32mm or Green 21G, 38mm (for deep injection).

• Always inject slowly and steadily – fast injection can damage muscle.

• Rotate muscle groups to avoid abscesses or scar tissue.

Under the skin (Subcutaneous) – sometimes steroids, hormones, or small doses

• Best syringe: 1ml.

• Best needle: Orange 25G, 16mm.

• Pinch skin and inject at a 45° angle.

Quick tips

• Higher gauge (25G) = thinner needle = less tissue damage, but may block with thick liquids.

• Lower gauge (21G, 23G) = thicker needle = easier for drawing up or thick solutions, but more damaging if injected with.

• Always use a fresh sterile needle and syringe for each hit.

• Never share equipment.

• Dispose of everything safely in a sharps bin.

Using the right water is really important when preparing a hit or injection. It lowers the risk of infections, abscesses, and damage to your veins and body.

Why use water for injection?

• It’s sterile – free from bacteria, fungi, and chemicals that can cause infections.

• Comes in sealed 2ml ampoules, ready to use.

• The safest option for preparing any drug for injecting.

What not to use

• Tap water, puddle water, bottled water, or drinks – these can all contain bacteria and chemicals. Even clear water can cause infections or serious illness if injected.

• Saliva or alcohol – never use these to mix or clean your works. They are highly unsafe.

How to use ampoules safely

1. Wash your hands first.

2. Snap open the top of the ampoule carefully (use a tissue or alcohol swab to protect your fingers).

3. Use a fresh, sterile syringe/needle to draw up the water.

4. Once opened, use it straight away – don’t save or reuse ampoules. They’re no longer sterile once open.

5. Only draw up what you need. If you need more, open another ampoule.

Extra tips

• 1 ampoule = 1 hit. Don’t share or reuse once opened.

• If you run out of sterile water, it’s still safer to wait until you can get some than to use unsafe water.

• Always filter your mix (using a proper filter if available).

• Dispose of empty ampoules in a sharps bin – don’t leave them lying around.

💡 Remember: Sterile water is free from germs, but once it touches spoons, filters, or needles, it can pick up bacteria. That’s why single-use is safest.

Some drugs (like brown heroin, crack, and some tablets) won’t dissolve in water alone. They need a small amount of an acidifier (citric acid or vitamin C/ascorbic acid) to break down properly.

Using the right type and the right amount of acidifier helps protect your veins and reduces harm.

Citric acid vs. vitamin C

• Citric acid – stronger. Only a tiny amount is needed. Too much can burn veins and cause vein damage.

• Vitamin C (ascorbic acid) – gentler and less damaging if a little extra is used, but still risky in large amounts.

• Both are far safer than using vinegar or lemon juice, which can cause serious infections and vein damage.

How much to use

• Start with a very small amount – about a pinhead-sized scoop of citric, or half a sachet of vitamin C.

• Stir and check if the drug has dissolved.

• If not, add a tiny bit more and stir again.

• Only add enough to get the drug fully dissolved – no more.

💡 Tip: The liquid should be clear (not cloudy) once dissolved. If it’s fizzing heavily or looks very acidic, you’ve probably used too much.

Why too much is risky

• Acid eats away at vein walls, leading to pain, vein collapse, and ulcers.

• Increases the risk of infections and abscesses.

• Can make injections more painful and harder to find a vein later on.

Safer injecting tips

• Always use sterile acidifier sachets – never vinegar or lemon juice.

• Use a new sachet for each hit – don’t share or store opened ones.

• If possible, choose vitamin C – it’s a bit kinder on veins.

• Add slowly – you can always add more, but you can’t take it out once it’s in.

• Filter before drawing up to remove any leftover crystals or undissolved particles.