If you're reading this and use drugs, here are a few things I wish I’d told my sister when she was alive:
Please stay safe.
If you use opioids or illegal drugs that might contain them, carry naloxone.
Don’t use alone. You can call 1-800-484-3731 to connect with someone who will stay on the line and contact EMS if you overdose.
Test your drugs with strips or by starting with a small dose.
If you inject, clean your skin first and use sterile equipment.
You can learn more about how to stay safe while using drugs or where to find treatment at the Harm Reduction Research & Treatment Center website.
And here’s something I told her every time we spoke, that I whispered to the universe hoping it would reach her ear when we were apart:
No matter how dark things are, how alone you feel, how hopeless things seem, know that you are loved.
You. Are. Loved.