From research to ‘route of administration’ to recovery, when it comes to illicit substances, a little planning goes a long way.
Planning to take illicit drugs this summer? You’re not alone – hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders will, despite the fact that (gasp!) drugs are still illegal. But here’s the thing: just because something is illegal doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have access to the information you need to stay safe.
I’m the general manager of KnowYourStuffNZ, a grassroots harm reduction organisation dedicated to drug checking, education and advocating for smarter drug policies in Aotearoa. Last year, we ran 171 events, helping more than 6,000 people understand what they were taking and how to reduce their risks. If you can’t visit us at a clinic or festival, don’t worry – we’ve got your back with essential tips to keep you and your friends out of harm’s way.
The truth is, no drug use is 100% safe. From coffee to MDMA, every substance comes with risks. But when people have accurate, judgment-free information, they can make safer choices. And that’s exactly what we’re here for.
Research it thoroughly
Good sources to start your research are Psychonaut Wiki, Erowid, The Level, or, of course, KnowYourStuffNZ’s website.
It’s especially important to do your research on drug interactions. The Tripsit Drug Combination Chart is a good place to start, but it mostly shows interactions with other illicit substances. If you’re on any prescription medication, this might take a more thorough Googling but it’s definitely worth the extra homework to avoid any unexpected hospital visits. Remember: alcohol and caffeine are also drugs and will have interactions with other substances.
The internet is a wild and scary place, and there’s a lot of drug misinformation out there. Before you take anything as fact, it’s worth checking who’s behind the advice – and whether they’ve got any biases that could affect what they’re saying.
Source it carefully
Unfortunately in Aotearoa this is easier said than done. Even if you know your dealer personally, do you know their dealer, or their dealer’s dealer’s dealer? About one in 10 substances that come through drug checking services aren’t what they were sold as. Substitutions or cutting can happen anywhere on the supply chain.
Which is what makes the next step vital…
Get it checked
This is where we come in! You can visit KnowYourStuffNZ, the DISC Trust or the NZ Drug Foundation for a free, legal, confidential drug checking service.
We will be able to tell you if your substance contains what you expect it to be, and if it contains anything else. We can’t tell you its “purity”, which is a scientifically complicated term that doesn’t really apply to the illicit market. If someone sells you something as “99% pure”, you can probably assume that’s 100% bunk marketing.
Want to know when and where we’re holding clinics? Head to our website and hit the “find a clinic” button.
Determine your dose
A little goes a long way. Some factors can affect dose, such as the amount of sleep you’ve had or how much food you’ve eaten.
If you visit a drug checking service, they can help you figure out the right dose. When taking a substance for the first time, start low and go slow. Remember – you can always take more, but you can’t take less.
Weigh it (accurately)
No, licking your finger and sticking it in the baggie isn’t an accurate way to dose. The only truly accurate way to weigh a dose is to use a set of microscales that have been freshly calibrated. How accurate you need to be will depend on the substance, and whether a standard dose is 10mg or 100mg.
In a pinch, volumetric dosing is a reliable way to get an accurate dose. Just make sure that you do your maths correctly – and label any leftovers. I can’t stress that enough.
Plan your experience
Figure out what kind of things you want to do, where you want to go, and how you want to take your drugs. You don’t have to stick to it religiously, but having a plan can save you from unexpected chaos.
Route of administration is the technical term for “what hole does it go in?” The safest ROA is different for each substance and dosage, so do your research.
And think about your goals, boundaries, and any must-dos or must-not-dos – these are a lot easier to communicate when you’re sober!
Safety check
Is all your equipment clean, and do you have enough for each person to use their own? Sharing any equipment, including straws, spoons or needles, is a great way to pass bacteria and disease among people, and we can’t say it enough: money is covered in bacteria, faeces and loads of other nasties, so don’t use it as a snorting tool. It’s one of the top three disease vectors in the world.
Who is the sober buddy if something goes wrong? And what are the warning signs to know it’s time to go get help?
Recovery
After your experience, you might feel a bit rough. Depending on what you took and how much, the next couple of days can be a little tender. Make sure you’ve got snacks, drinks and a cosy spot to rest.
Taking a cue from psychedelic therapy, the few days after taking a substance are a great time to integrate your experience. Some drugs have a “critical period” ranging from about 12 to 72 hours after ingestion where the brain is more neuroplastic – this is the time to try to embed your new learnings and experiences into your normal life. This could look as simple as making sure there are a few hours set aside after your experience to do some journalling, chat with a friend, or reflect on what happened.
With the right knowledge and preparation, you can make smarter, safer choices that will make your experience more enjoyable while reducing the risks. Stay informed. Stay safe. Have a good summer.
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