Stimulant Safety: Getting Amped Up to Reduce Harms When Using Stimulants

Guide or handbook
by
NASTAD (National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors)

Release Date

2023

Geography

USA

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

Yes

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

No

Findings/Key points

This resource provides an overview of stimulants and aims to educate individuals and organizations that provide services to people who use methamphetamine and other stimulants. This resource offers education on the reasons people take stimulants, including the potential positive aspects to use and potential risks of use; how to minimize harm, reduce stigma around stimulants, and support peoples’ positive experiences. It discusses the intersection of stimulant use and sexual safety; tips for accessing supplies and materials to include in safer drug use kits for people who use stimulants; how to recognize the signs and symptoms of overamping and how to respond to save a life. Effective interventions for stimulant use, including promising new practices from the field, as well as, damaging myths and stigmas from other people who use drugs and from healthcare providers are also discussed.

Keywords

Stimulants
Harm reduction
Stigma