Harm Reduction Nursing Practice: The Dr. Peter Centre Supervised Injection Project

In december 2001, a Nurse was approached by an injection drug user who askedfor a “RIG” (Slang for needle and syringe) so he could use heroin. He planned just to shake up the drug with hisown aspirated blood because he had no water or facilities to “Cook” (Mix heroin with water; heating heroin to prepare it for injection) the mix. “Yes, you do,” said the Nurse, “Come with me.” and so began Supervised Injection Practices at the Dr. Peter Centre.