I failed yesterday… and it’s still bothering me. I usually keep a good supply of clean rigs on me, so when I’m out in the field I can help with harm reduction by passing out clean needles. I ran out last week, and I didn’t go to the Chicago Recovery Alliance van to get a fresh stock. Why didn’t I go? Laziness… didn’t feel like it. I soon regretted that.
Yesterday while I was photographing in an abandoned house over on the West Side, the gentleman that I was with didn’t have a needle. One of the other addicts in the house offered to share one of his dirty needles. He promised that he was clean and that he had just had a medical check.
I frantically looked through my bag – I thought I had a few needles in there somewhere, but I was wrong. I begged him not to use the dirty needle, and offered the only thing that I had: a large needle used for injecting Naloxone, a drug used in case of overdose. These needles are made for injecting into muscle, not a vein.
He used my needle, thankfully, but I need to make sure that I don’t run out of clean rigs. I don’t want this to happen ever again.
With respect Chuck you didn’t fail. In fact what a great thing that you were there at just the right time. Please don’t feel.had Feel GOOD that you were there and that you helped. RESPECT to yo you Chuck..
Thanks, Paul.