Buying Rigs off the Street

[Black_Pony]

Has anyone else ever done this?

For those who do/dont, what do you think the chances are that you are getting used rigs?

I mean, i always make sure the caps line up with the little heat mark, ya know. But it takes little effort at all to replace the cap in that exact position after use. For sure anyone who sells people used rigs under the pretense that they are new, has a special place in hell waiting for them.

[tui]

I've always found clean rigs are individually plastic wrapped and sealed.
Unless things are dif where you are, those sound v dodgy.

t

[Black_Pony]

I've seen those too. But more common are the ten-packs. God I knew using those was stupid, who knows what I've contracted.

I've always found clean rigs are individually plastic wrapped and sealed.
Unless things are dif where you are, those sound v dodgy.

t

[is_today_monday]

Here, it doesn't matter what size pack you get, they all come as single wrapped, sterilised rigs. If the packet is opened, I wouldn't use them, unless I saw it being opened and handed to me right in front of my eyes.

It's bizarre, and disgusting, that they don't come individually wrapped over there, no matter if they've been used or not. There's just no way of saying if they really are clean of not.

I must admit, I find that fact somewhat disturbing.

I hope that you really are getting clean ones from these guys you're getting them from. If they are lying about what they are giving, well... karma certainly has a way of coming around.

Good luck, and I hope you are safe using those fits. Perhaps getting yourself tested wouldn't be a bad idea - just in case, you know?

All the best..

[reddragon3668]

I've never bought any off the street. But, back in my day, I remember many times going to the dealer's house, sitting down at the table and have him throw a handful of needles on the table, not wrapped or anything. Years after I got clean, all that came back to me and scared the living shit out of me. I've had AIDS test and stuff done since for life insurance... not sure about HepC... but my liver seems to be doing fine.

I think its risky, so I'd stay clear. Unfortunately, in this lifestyle, we often take chances we regret later.


Has anyone else ever done this?

For those who do/dont, what do you think the chances are that you are getting used rigs?

I mean, i always make sure the caps line up with the little heat mark, ya know. But it takes little effort at all to replace the cap in that exact position after use. For sure anyone who sells people used rigs under the pretense that they are new, has a special place in hell waiting for them.

[SurfRat]

I've always found clean rigs are individually plastic wrapped and sealed.
Unless things are dif where you are, those sound v dodgy.

t


Some are wrapped some aren't.

The ones that are not wrapped, they have a plastic cap with a small tiny spot weld to insure it is unused but it is not ideal.

[AZJunkie]

In Philly, I always got works in packages....off the street.

But to get kicked back a bunch of 10packs for a bag or two always worked out too.

I dont have a preference..every bloodborne illness I've contracted, I can track back to one single person or situation.

[Duckfeet]

Honestly, I always get the cleanest U100's I can...when I have the choice...but I've used beat up old rigs, that we had to fight just to get the plunger out, and have sharpened needles on matchbook covers, and just rinsed a little water in it, and that's probably why I had HepC, and I just missed out on snagging AIDs...but anyway, that's why needle xchanges are lifesavers. But like any good junky, if they're not available, I"ll use whatever I can come up with...if the choice is between being *sick*, or catching a disease that won't affect me for years....I'll take my fucking chances....

[Lil_Miss_Brownstone]

I can trace my hep c back to one of two people, but i'm not mad, it was my own choice ultimately.

I have bought rigs off the street before but i don't like to. In most cities I have been able to buy at a pharmacy. Needle exchanges are great. There is a couple in Indy who does the exchange out of their car, and i am still going through the box of 200 they gave me a few weeks ago.

If a rig had been used, I can usually tell. I don't even reuse my own anymore because I can't hit my crappy little leg veins if it's not sharp sharp sharp.

[Black_Pony]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. I guess it is a risk (obviously) but its good to hear I'm not the only one who does it. And ya, I should get tested. And ya, I sure wish the neighborhood exchange gave out individually wrapped singles (that way the street folk would be selling those instead of the unwrapped singles out of their ten packs).

I only use the ones with caps and the weld marks line up (theres a mark on the orange tip and the clear plunger cap). I just think it wouldnt be hard to put the cap back on and line up the weld.

I think I'll start doing the online order thing and hope I didn't catch nothing already. The exchange keeps hours that are tough for me to make.

[candy]

Honestly, I always get the cleanest U100's I can...when I have the choice...but I've used beat up old rigs, that we had to fight just to get the plunger out, and have sharpened needles on matchbook covers, and just rinsed a little water in it, and that's probably why I had HepC, and I just missed out on snagging AIDs...but anyway, that's why needle xchanges are lifesavers. But like any good junky, if they're not available, I"ll use whatever I can come up with...if the choice is between being *sick*, or catching a disease that won't affect me for years....I'll take my fucking chances....


You being in Southern Calif. you should be able to find a Needle Exchange. In L.A. there are programs to get syringes and other items for cooking your dope.

http://cleanneedlesnow.org/

http://www.commongroundwestside.org/prevention.htm

http://www.map-usa.org/html/outreach.htm: Although this program targets the African American population in L.A., they do have a needle exchange program that is open to anyone. Call for hours and location. They do a 1:1 exchange(meaning-for every needle you bring in, you receive one clean needle), but if it is your first time and you don't have needles, they will give you 10 to start.

http://www.hhcla.org/index-services.htm?services/hreduction.htm~mainFrame: You do not need to be homeless to use their exchange. It is open to everyone and they also provide referrals for treatment, medical services, to name a few.

So, here are some sites you can get info on for needle exchange.

Most programs do a 1:1 exchange. Some do give you 5 or 10 to start.
Some will also give out the 100 count boxes for sale. I can't remember the cost, but it isn't high and may be worth it for some who can't get out often or have limited transportation.

And, no you shouldn't buy any syringes off the street unless they are in the sealed wrapper. Even if the seller claims they have been bleached. Bleach does not kill off the Hep C virus.

Best of luck and I hope this helps ya!

[Duckfeet]

I appreciate all the useful info, Candy; I probably didn't post correctly, but I was just letting of steam, about the reality of a junky like me, who will seek out new rigs, but will use whatever is available...but I live in SD--where all the fires are, just east of me--and know where and when the two weekly needle xchanges are here, and have been to them both, and know the people who run them, and they are wonderful, not just for needles, but for well-informed pamphlets on tar, shooting up, and they give out tournequits, and clean water, and bleach, and anything u need. But just for the hell of it, I tried, using all my knowledge to get a drugstore to give me some, and *no* way....

But in any case, it's good info, and appreciated...


You being in Southern Calif. you should be able to find a Needle Exchange.

<snip>

Best of luck and I hope this helps ya!

[Black_Pony]

Ya thanks Candy! i wish there was an exchange on every street corner in every town across the map. But alas, tis not the case.

Drugstores should really be more helpful too. Its so weird how one store will sell and another in the same pharmacy chain won't. Its stupid. If one store can do it, everyone shoud nd do a service to the friggen community.

[Lil_Miss_Brownstone]

I believe I caught my hep C in San Diego about 4 yrs ago. I was hanging out in Hillcrest and if there was a exchange around, no one I hung out with knew about it. I was homeless and car-less and couldn't really even take a bus anywhere because I was living on the street with my dog. Back in my "street kid" days.

[Duckfeet]

Yep: one of'em actually comes to Hillcrest, in a back alley, the other is downtown, and the trouble is: tho *they* are a good resource, there is no good resource to find out about the needle xchange itself...I've only been back in Cali since that *last* fire, back in 2003... I was living out on my old sailboat on a mooring hook, rite there at the end of Laurel St, out where the boats are moored by Star of India...when that fire came, I had only been out here a couple of weeks, and on boat with no electricity, and the planes quit taking off and there was black ash in the air and deathly quiet: I thought we'd been nuked or something...and this fire is worse...

I find out about xchange in Methadone Clinic, which is usually a pretty good resource for needle xchanges...

I believe I caught my hep C in San Diego about 4 yrs ago. I was hanging out in Hillcrest and if there was a exchange around, no one I hung out with knew about it. I was homeless and car-less and couldn't really even take a bus anywhere because I was living on the street with my dog. Back in my "street kid" days.

[xxanxx]

Some are wrapped some aren't.

The ones that are not wrapped, they have a plastic cap with a small tiny spot weld to insure it is unused but it is not ideal.In MI you can buy individually wrapped syringes for around $2 each. Very convenient.

[Black_Pony]

They sell 10 packs at the pharmacy for $3.27 including tax. I just cant get 'em being as how im not diabetic

In MI you can buy individually wrapped syringes for around $2 each. Very convenient.

[xxanxx]

That's what I meant by very convenient. Sometimes it can be rather hard to buy syringes. Ordering online is definitely the way to go IMO.

[Coldshakekid]

If youve ever used a "New" Needle that felt a little dull. It was prly used.
I know someone that used them once, and then sold them 3-5 each.
But this is b4 they sold them in pharmacies

He would even reseal the individualy wrapped ones with rubber cement or elmers glue.
Sell 2/3 needles 10$and he gets straight..So dont think its not gonna happen

Hes the one who taught ME how to stay away from used rigs.He ran a shootin gallery.
Always make sure the rubber stop had the 3/8 of air space and the wleds lined up.
Look inside the needle tip and make sure the white dot has no blood on it.
If you pull the plunger out and look at it in the light,you can see an oily residue if it was used.
Smell it for bleach
Both the top cap and bottom cap have welds.
When looking at the individuals,the outer plastic is clear,when you pull it open it turns white.
So,when you pull an individual open,it should open with good resistance,not just pull open real easily.
Look for strings"wierd gluey" when opening a pack
Look at the ink on the cc numbers,it wears off after being handled.

If you have any doubt...Buy a new set...If your too impatient and your gonna use it anyway.Take the extra few seconds to bleach the shit out of it.Then rinse it good.
If your too lazy and have no bleach
And your still gonna do you r thing

Run the thing under hot hot water as long as you can,use a wet tissue to wipe the needle off
keep rinsing as long as you can.
Run the tip under hot water..USe alchahol in the needle and rinse it w/alchahol if thats around.

An ounce of prevention is worth more than 1,000,000 lbs of cure

Maybe "AT THE MOMENT" you dont give a shit..But when you get straight your gonna be wondering if you just signed your death warrant.And if you share a needle once,it will haunt you forever"until u get tested"

Alot of people dont have any hygiene at all and they just dont care. While were high,our standards drop.But this is an exception you shouldnt make.
Id rather sharpen my rig than take a chance ...

I use a matchbook striker.
put the slice of the needle on the striker and rub forward one smooth stroke,pull off.
repeat
Then push water thru it from the back a zillion times.Being super carefull theres no metal flakes or crap in the hole.