Citric leaflet text

Using sterile citric sachets

To dissolve brown heroin and crack cocaine for injection, an acid must be added to the mixture.

The acids that are used for this – including citric acid – are not designed for injecting, and can cause vein damage.

To keep vein damage to a minimum it is important to use as little as possible.

We are supplying citric acid sachets because:

• you need to use an acid; and
• other acids such as lemon juice or vinegar can cause serious health problems including
  eye infections that can lead to blindness.
  

The sachets are for single use only. Use as little as possible and throw away any that is left over.

If you get pain or redness at an injecting site stop injecting there. Ask your needle exchange, drug service or GP for advice.

Safer injecting

Injecting is the most dangerous way to take drugs, the risks include:

• getting hepatitis or HIV from shared equipment;
• overdose; and
• damage to skin and veins.

Please think seriously about switching to a less risky way of taking drugs such as snorting or smoking.

If you are going to inject:

• use new sterile injecting equipment every time;
• don’t share anything used to prepare drugs; and
• use different injecting sites – to help veins recover
  

Ask your needle exchange or drug service for further advice and information.

tools for harm reduction.