Snorting cocaine with own attribute, but shared bag of drugs. Hep C risk assess.

[Dutchie]

Dear readers,

First of all, I am not a scientist, but I am just someone with a high interest in the field of this subject. I was wondering the following:

Now, I know it is possible to contract hepatitis C from sharing a snorting straw or other attributes (although this is highly unlikely according to studies). Here we mostly do not use straws, but keys where I come from but the same applies for this I assume. When I read this, I made the decision to only use my own and do not share it with somebody else. I do like recreational drugs from time to time, but wish to do so as 'smart' as possible as far this is possible and INFORM others to also be aware of at least sharing snorting attributes is not a good idea.

However, it is fairly common some people when going to a festival, 3 people or something like that share their small bag, where the drugs is stored in. For example cocaine, now we do not use lines, but use our keys to "bump" it from the bag to our nose.

Now is there still a chance to contract Hepatitis C while sharing solely the bag of drugs (f.e. cocaine), while other people are dipping their keys in it as well? That the key of another one with microscopic levels of blood, come into the bag of cocaine, attach to the drugs, while I go in with my own personal keys and bump it into my nose?

Or is this too farfetched and the harm reduction is enough in this case? I personally think this is so farfetched it is the same as contracting HIV at the hairdresser. This due to the fact that in a study with 38 people who have active Hep. C, there was only found like Hep. C on 3 of the 38 tools while snorting, and in this case the keys are not shared, but are dipped into the bag. This means it needs another contamination from a microscopic amount of blood, from the key towards the substance in the bag. And then from another use dipping their own key in the bag as well, pulling it up, get it into their own nose from the substance and be contaminated.

Sorry for the drug related content, but this is a question I have not seen answered yet, and might be useful for some others looking for information on the web too.

In my opinion, due to what I see personally in the festival field this might be another thing to tackle in the battle towards information sharing for others (I think)?
I notice a lot of people are not aware of the possibility to transfer the virus with using the same straws, and try to warn people for it, since this is only a small effort to use your own snorting device. Furthermore, I like to know this, due to the practical relevance I see around me and in my country in general.

I hope to see some opinions of you guys.
For me personally, I get tested from time to time due to i've been subject to some other low possibility manners too. (Really sharp razor blade at my hair dresser for example, pretty deep wound) f.e.

Thanks in advance,
Mart

[Lynn K]

As you are likely aware hep c infected blood must enter the blood stream of an uninfected person. Because the use on intranasal cocaine can irritate and weaken the nasal lining I suppose there could be a very, very small theoretical risk from dipping keys into the same bag of drugs but I suspect the risk is minuscule.

However, one way to avoid this risk entirely would be to stop using drugs.

[Dutchie]

Although,

You talk about 'theoretical risk' like the same as with HIV?
Which basically means close to zero, if not zero.

I always try to minimize risk with my healthy brain.
I've been cut by a barber once with a really sharp blade, pretty deep. I mean, you always take risks with daily activities.

Just for fun I looked deeper into it, and even with the research regarding straws and snorting devices, from like 40 persons who snorted with the devices only 5 cointained blood, and only 3 had like the possibility to pass it through to others.

Thereby, I think it would be really hard to pass to the drugs in the bag if there are microscopic amounts of blood. (wouldn't do it if I saw clearly blood in a white bag of powder). And then from the drug itself, rather then the blood on a snorting device, which mainly pokes in the nasal lining instead of the drug from own device.

I think it might actually not even be a transmission method.

However, thanks for the information. And a tip for all the recreational drug users;
It is a small effort to use your own snorting tool.

[Lynn K]

Yes if you use your own works that is always safer. When I say theoretical this means in theory there is a risk but very small as long as not sharing equipment. However, theoretical is not the same as no risk at all. It is not zero risk. Also when under the influence of drugs people often make errors this increasing risk.

To achieve zero risk from drug use do not use drugs.