Filters

Product Description

The filters distributed by OHRDP are uniformly spun 100% cotton and come in three sizes.

Filters are used to remove drug particles and other debris when drawing up the drug solution from the cooker.

These filters should require no manipulation and do not have loose fibers or flavourings.

Practice/Usage

A filter is placed in a clean, new cooker to filter any particles out of the drug before injection and a sterile needle is used to draw the drug through the filter. Needle Exchange Programs should consider bagging filters (10-15 pellets per bag) and attaching a sticker reinforcing for single use only. The sticker can act as a reassurance that the bag has not been tampered with and that the filters are clean.

Discussion/Associated Risks

• Best Practice Recommendations (2006) recommend filters with 0.22?m pore width to decrease the likelyhood of injecting particles or debris. OHRDP filters have a larger pore width than recommended due to availability, client preference and cost.
• It is not uncommon for individuals to save filters and cook them at a later time, but this should be strongly discouraged as fungi and bacteria can live and grow in the old filters. By re-using an old filter one is susceptible to "cotton fever" an infection which is accompanied by fever, sweating, chills and other flu-like symptoms. It may go away on its own but if it persists or worsens medical attention should be sought.
• Filters can come in contact with multiple needles, if more than one injector draws up from the same cooker aiding the spread of infectious viruses.
• Filters should be handled as little as possible to minimize the potential for contamination with bacteria.
• Cigarette filters are not a safe alternative as they contain small particles of glass and if the cigarette has been smoked contain substances which are harmful to inject.
• Best Practice Recommendations (2006) indicate that guidelines for the safe disposal of injection equipment other than sharps are not available at this time. Until such time as best practice guidelines are available for the safe disposal of this product, used equipment should be disposed of following the BPRs for needles and syringes (in the biohazard containers).

Sources

• Strike C, Leonard L, Millson M, Anstice S, Berkeley N, Medd E. Ontario Needle Exchange Programs: Best Practices Recommendations. Toronto: Ontario Needle Exchange Coordinating Committee 2006
• Getting off Right, A safety Manual for Injection Drug Users, Harm Reduction Coalition
• www.exchangesupplies.org/publications/safer_injecting_briefing/section3.html
• www.streetworks.ca/pdf/veincarebook.pdf
• www.anypositivechange.org