Safer snorting

The Hep C virus is spread though blood. If you snort drugs, there are steps you can follow to prevent blood that carriesying the virus from getting into your body.

People use devices like straws or rolled bills to snort drugs like cocaine. There i's a chance you could get Hep C from using someone else's straws or bills to snort drugs. This happens becauseWhen the drug goes up into a person's nose and can cause his or her nose to bleed, and then tiny amounts of blood can get on the straw and end up getting in your nose when you use the straw to sniff your drug. Blood could be on the straw piece even if you can't see it. You can prevent Hep C by using your own straw to snort.

The harm reduction information that follows is offered as a public health service. Its purpose is not to encourage or condone the use or possession of illegal drugs. It is to help people make safer choices in their use of drugs that will reduce the spread of Hep C and HIV.

Safer-snorting materials

You can protect yourself from Hep C by having your own straw when snorting or, better yet, by using something that can be used once and thrown away, like a Post-It note or a disposable drinking straw from a fast-food restaurant.

People don’t throw money away, so there’s no way to know for sure that a rolled bill hasn't already been up someone else's nose and isn't carrying Hep C.

Nasal care

Taking care of your nose will help prevent infections. You can do this by snorting a few drops of warm water before and after you've taken the drug. You can also use a lotion with vitamin E to help your nose heal.

The more you use, the bigger the risk of getting Hep C, because each time you snort, it does more damage inside the nose. Eventually you might get nosebleeds, a runny nose or even wear away the divide between your two nostrils (and end up with one big hole)—all of this will make it easier to get or pass on Hep C.

Revised 2011.