Check out our newest Harm Reduction fact sheets. Click on the titles:
Cocaine: Cocaine is extracted from coca leaves and was originally developed as a pain killer. Most often it is snorted but can also be injected or rubbed into the gums. Its main form is a white powder. It is often “cut” or mixed with things like corn starch, baking soda, amphetamines and other substances or poisons.
Fentanyl: Fentanyl is a strong, synthetic opioid pain medication. Fentanyl is used medically to treat pain. It comes in the form of patches on the skin and can also be injected, smoked, snorted or taken under the tongue sublingually. The most severe side effects include diarrhea, nausea, constipation, dry mouth, confusion, abdominal pain, fatigue, hallucinations, anxiety, depression, and overdose.
Heroin: Heroin is a synthetic chemical made from morphine and its effects are similar only stronger. In its purest from heroin is a fine white powder. More often it will be found as a rose gray, brown or black powder in color. The color will depend on things added to it or “cut” with it, like sugar, caffeine, fentanyl or other poisons. Because these additional things added to heroin don’t fully dissolve they can block blood vessels and lead to infection or destruction of vital organs.
Medically Assisted Treatment: Medically Assisted Treatment is the use of medications in combination with counseling and other behavioral therapies. It is the number one medically recommended way to treat opioid or heroin addiction. Medication prescribed for MAT is often suboxone or methadone. These medical drugs block the opioid receptors and prevent physical addiction and cravings for opioids.
Methamphetamine: Methamphetamine or “meth” as its more commonly known, is a crystalline drug that people take by snorting, smoking or injecting it. It comes in a white or yellowish powder. Using meth leads to a strong sense of well-being, a rush of confidence, hyperactivity and energy. Meth is a street drug much like cocaine in that it’s a stimulant or “upper.” It is often used as a “party” drug.
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