TO ID DRUG PARAPHERNALIA
USE THESE THREE SENSES
SIGHT,SOUND,SMELL

Drug users often leave identifiable evidents of their secret life.

Drug paraphernalia does not have to be a burnt spoon, syringe, smoking pipes, rolling papers, the list goes on. An addict is normally fairly careful about the items listed above. It can be as important as the drug itself.

Such as a syringe and the goods to cook up the dope. An addict who injects their dope, will avoid at all cost to have to take it orally.

I do not recall ever taking a drug that was injectable by mouth, after I started injecting drugs. There are two habits involved and they are both very demanding.

If I did swallow the drug it was because the law was on me.

I always kept my outfit,"syringe", with me, or very near.

So if you do suspect that your child or someone of concern is injecting drugs, their outfit will be close by. They may keep it well hidden in their car, hidden in their living area, behind a light switch or receptacle covers. In the lining of their clothes, in the bed mattress, outside in the yard somewhere.

The "works" meaning the tools they use for injecting and cooking their drugs.

The works is often kept together in some sort of small container, bag, box, sock, tie, whatever keeps them from becoming separated.

The only reason they may not have their works near by might be, they are new to injecting themselves. They may be extremely cautious, they use others works, or just get them on the fly.

Using others work is extremely dangerous, it's a great way to spread AIDS, HEP-C, an many other blood transmitted deceases.

Drug paraphernalia comes in many forms that only an addict may be aware of.

Sometimes they struggle to crush them and tap on the bill or business card to make it easier. So if you hear a tapping sound for some strange reason, use common sense. The addict will often have a good reason for any noise or action that displays suspicion.

This is often the type of way to get your drug into a powder form, for injection, snorting, or smoking.

This process will often leave its mark. The surface where they do this may have small dents or marks of some sort. This depends on the hardness of that surface. There are times drug addicts may use a knife, so small cut marks may also be evident. Normally they will use the same surface time and time again.

Smells that seem out of the ordinary will raise red flags.

The use of drug paraphernalia often leaves its scent. Most of us are familiar with the smell of alcohol. Most may be aware of the smell of marijuana. If not there are some places you can actually get incense that is similar to marijuana. Many places that sell drug paraphernalia will carry this product.

When heroin is cooked or being prepared to inject it smells like vinegar.

The best thing to do when sounds and smell are out of the ordinary is to use common sense. Do not jump to conclusions.

If you are certain of drug use, don't become angry.

You cannot afford to lose control, the user is out of control. With you both out of control you have a disaster. If you accuse in anger, they will try to make it look like you are the one with the problem. Drug addicts are good at this. Especially if it is your child or someone you love.

The user or addict will try to cover the smells with air freshener, toothpaste, anything to disguise the smell.

Drug paraphernalia often appears as trash.

If you see a pop can that has been cut or torn in half, that also can be possible drug paraphernalia. They will use the bottom of the can to cook their dope in. I have several times. Metal caps normally off beer bottles are often used as a cooking device. They will remove the plastic in the cap, then use a bread bag tie for a handle to avoid getting burnt.

The corners of baggies are widely used in the dealing of dope.

The drug in powder form or solid is placed in the corner of the baggie. Then they tie a knot as close to the corner as possible and cut the remainder of the baggie off just above the knot.

Tin foil and cigarette pack cellophane are very often used as packages also.

I know when I threw my disposable drug paraphernalia away, I often covered it with existing trash in the can. So it is a good idea to rummage through their trash for clues.

Normally an addict is in a hurry to get their dope and to do it. This is when they make many mistakes, leaving evidents of drug use in their living area. Also if others are also doing drugs there they will more than likely leave something behind. They don't care they will not get in trouble for it.

If you find any of this possible drug evidents, check it out closely there is often traces of drugs on it.

Wear gloves if you are going through the trash.

There could be an exposed used syringe within or something with blood on it used to clean themselves off. It is best to always be cautious when searching for such waste.

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