People who inject drugs are at high risk because they can inject HIV directly into their blood stream. But there are certain steps they can take to reduce this risk:

• Take drugs orally (i.e. change from injecting to non-injecting drug use).
• Do not re-use or use the same needles, syringes, water or drug-preparation equipment with other people.
• Use a new syringe (obtained from a reliable source, e.g. a chemist or a needleexchange programme) to prepare and inject drugs each time.
• When preparing drugs, use sterile water or clean water from a reliable source.
• Use a fresh alcohol swab to clean the skin prior to injection.