Health professionals should inform IDUs that using sterile syringes is safer than reusing syringes, including syringes that have been disinfected with bleach. The information in this bulletin has been prepared for health professionals involved in programs serving persons who inject drugs. Separate educational materials will be prepared to inform drug injectors of these findings. In addition to HIV, HBV, HCV and other blood-borne infections, persons who inject drugs are at risk of other serious infections. The risks of transmission of blood-borne illnesses are compelling reasons for strengthening public health and community efforts to help persons avoid starting drug injection and to help IDUs stop using drugs.
Addiction is a major factor in the use of drugs such as heroin, cocaine, and amphetamines.
While the recommendations in this bulletin will help reduce the individual and public health risks associated with injection drug use, the ultimate goals are to prevent at-risk individuals from initiating injection drug use and to help drug injectors stop drug injection through substance abuse treatment and recovery from addiction. The Role of Sterile Needles and Bleach. Most syringes and needles used by drug injectors were not designed for reuse. Boiling needles and syringes for 15 minutes between uses can disinfect the equipment. However, boiling may alter the shape and functioning of the plastic syringes widely used by drug injectors in the United States.