Injecting - Difficulty buying needles

[Sniffin Sunshine]

For some reason people always hassle swim when she tries to buy needles. If she says shes diabetic they need to know what kind. If she asks sometimes they just dont let her.
Any suggestions on what to say?
Swim knows they can be bought online but is living with someone who she could not risk getting the package.

[RaverHippie]

claim you're picking up as a favor for someone that is diabetic and wheelchair bound so their mobility is impaired and it just so happens you often run errands for said friend/relative.

Reputation Comments on this post:

Excellent answer to the ops question!

[madfan]

Doesn`t the u.s have a harm reduction policy?i.e needle exchanges?
Swim would certainly hope so.They may be called exchanges,but one doesn`t HAVE TO return used needles & syringes in order to recieve new ones.
If swiy doesn`t live near an exchange & the diabetic story doesn`t cut any ice then swim recalls her brother in law had a model airplane making hobby & swim saw that he had a few new 5ml syringes which she seems to recall him using to apply glue to the model parts prior to assembly.When swim expressed suprise that he was able to get them he said he simply walked in the pharmacy & asked for some!!!!
When swim tried "simply asking" she invariably got a refusal.Swim thinks this may have been because people usually saw swim as a hippie & so they generally thought"drugs" when dealing with her.Whereas her brother in law had short hair,wore suits or smart casual wear & came accross as straight(although he certainly was not!)
First impressions count for a great deal imho.
Good luck.

[chillinwill]

Some ideas are to dress the part (look like you just got off work and not an addict) as well as claiming that you are picking them up for someone in your family. Red Rock has never had any trouble buying needles but one time and the lady working was a major bitch and kept asking me why I need them and how many units of Insulin do I use it for. ANother thing is to make sure you know the gauge and size of the needle of the top of your head. Being polite and courteous can also go a long way. Just make sure not to act like a drug user and like an everyday citizen.

[msmogadon]

SWIM thinks this it is crazy how some people have to struggle to purchase needles in the States. At the end of the day a person's own medical history is confidential !! It really is no business of anyone's what they are for. SWIY needs them and that is that. Maybe SWIY could ask what size of tampon the cashier uses.

[enquirewithin]

There's always the travelling abroad and need clean needles in case one needs to have to have medical treatment.

[Hapworth]

I am surprised that this thread exists. Diabetic syringes with needles are easily purchased online. SWIM purchased a box of 100 count, 28 gauge, 1 cc needles with syringes, for like fifteen bucks. You don't need a needle exchange (though if you have one by you, great) or to visit your local drugstore and try to convince them that you are a diabetic. Use the power of the internet!

[chillinwill]

Originally Posted by Sniffin Sunshine

Swim knows they can be bought online but is living with someone who she could not risk getting the package.

Originally Posted by Hapworth

I am surprised that this thread exists. Diabetic syringes with needles are easily purchased online. SWIM purchased a box of 100 count, 28 gauge, 1 cc needles with syringes, for like fifteen bucks. You don't need a needle exchange (though if you have one by you, great) or to visit your local drugstore and try to convince them that you are a diabetic. Use the power of the internet!

The power of the internet is great and that would have been my first suggestion as well until I read that part in the OP's original post.

[Hapworth]

Originally Posted by chillinwill

The power of the internet is great and that would have been my first suggestion as well until I read that part in the OP's original post.

Good point: I scanned the OP too quickly. Still, there are ways around the whole "afraid to have stuff shipped to my home" angle. For one, SWIY or M could have the package shipped to another address, such as a work address. SWIM routinely has stuff shipped to his work address. Another option is to open a PO Box. Finally, the packaging for all these types of questionable merchandise will be discreet, so there's no need for the friend of the OP to worry so much.

[MarkyMayhem]

SWIM has found that asking for a "Box of B-D [or wallgreens] 1cc long tip" and look the pharmacist right in the eye works fine, SWIM has even bought when obviously sick and shaking.. usually pretty cheap for 100..

The one thing SWIM found was, if you ask for a BAG - only 10 for less than a pack of smokes, they sometimes get suspicious, like why would a diabetic only want 10?

SWIM found a friendly pharmacy inside a local Walgreens who'll give SWIM a bag, no questions asked or even funny looks... once SWIM was even waiting for the guy to come in and open up the pharm. gates at like, 8am!

[FarS1GHT]

Originally Posted by MarkyMayhem

SWIM has found that asking for a "Box of B-D [or wallgreens] 1cc long tip" and look the pharmacist right in the eye works fine, SWIM has even bought when obviously sick and shaking.. usually pretty cheap for 100..

The one thing SWIM found was, if you ask for a BAG - only 10 for less than a pack of smokes, they sometimes get suspicious, like why would a diabetic only want 10?

SWIM found a friendly pharmacy inside a local Walgreens who'll give SWIM a bag, no questions asked or even funny looks... once SWIM was even waiting for the guy to come in and open up the pharm. gates at like, 8am!

SWIM did exactly this. Walked into Walgreens, went to the pharmacy and said "I need 100 BD 1cc short tip". She came back with long tip and SWIM replied "No, the short please". SWIM likes short instead, but to each their own. It was more expensive than SWIM was expecting. But when buying in bulk, it may be less obvious what they may actually be used for.

[Spare Chaynge]

Swim always bought them by the 100, Never even knew he could buy less. Never had trouble with it.

[Picass035]

SWIM usually purchases new points at his local Wal-Mart. Never a problem. SWIM has even purchased as low as THREE of them when they used to sell em like that. Now if that doesn't look suspicious I don't know what does:P

Does SWIY live in an area where they have a Needle Exchange Program? These are great. Where SWIM lives they even come by your house if you ask them to. Otherwise they just sit by known "high-traffic" areas, you hand em your used rigs, and they give you the same amount of new ones back.

Otherwise there is great topic over on heroin-helper on how to acquire syringes, even if they are Prescription-Only, easily and LEGALLY.

Reputation Comments on this post:

good information and advice here. Thank you for sharing this

[Junkhead23]

SWIM thinks it is disgusting that in America SWIY have to struggle like this. Its like the cunts are encouraging AIDS and hepatitis

[chillinwill]

Originally Posted by Junkhead23

SWIM thinks it is disgusting that in America SWIY have to struggle like this. Its like the cunts are encouraging AIDS and hepatitis

Yeah Red Rock has never understood this but he guesses it goes along with the "drug war success" haha success that USA claims that is has. If they just sold syringes without asking any questions, it might lead to an elevated level of drug use. However, and I think it has been proven time after time already, that having a needle exchange program would help reduce the spread of Hep C and AIDS as well as providing a clean and safe way to administer drugs IV. Red Rock still doesn't comprehend how many previous drug users understand this but yet the government refusal is a bitch. I mean come on now, by making syringes prescription only, do they really, honestly think that they are going to stop people from using drugs IV? If they say yes to this, well damn its a sad thing to live in America

Reputation Comments on this post:

Good post and is so true

[Picass035]

Originally Posted by Sniffin Sunshine

For some reason people always hassle swim when she tries to buy needles. If she says shes diabetic they need to know what kind. If she asks sometimes they just dont let her.
Any suggestions on what to say?
Swim knows they can be bought online but is living with someone who she could not risk getting the package.

When SWIM used to live in FL (~3-4 years), one could buy needles from Wal-Mart rather easily. Then all of a sudden the selling of needles required a prescription..

SWIM used to order them from a company called Hock's Pharmacy (a google search will show the actual website). Their prices are very good and their packaging is VERY discreet. They provide top-notch service. But again, if have ANYTHING shipping to SWIY's house is a problem, SWIY should have it sent to someone else or even open a PO Box as others have suggested.

SWIM would gladly send SWIY a few in the mail, but that doesn't solve the problem does it? heh

Well hopefully SWIY will find a solution if she hasn't found one already. The best of luck!!

[General Grievous]

swim had the same problem..heres the ultimate solution...when swiy goes to the doc and is waiting for him to enter...go in the drawers and pocket syringes...thats how swim did it...

[Picass035]

Originally Posted by General Grievous

swim had the same problem..heres the ultimate solution...when swiy goes to the doc and is waiting for him to enter...go in the drawers and pocket syringes...thats how swim did it...

SWIM had a friend who used to do this every appointment. Unfortunately the doctor walked in on him one day..with the cabinet door open and a handful of needles.. That was the last visit he ever made with that doctor

[General Grievous]

Originally Posted by Picass035

SWIM had a friend who used to do this every appointment. Unfortunately the doctor walked in on him one day..with the cabinet door open and a handful of needles.. That was the last visit he ever made with that doctor

LMFAO!!!! swiy friend got crazy man and shouldve just grabbed a few lol!!!

[McSmokey]

cant believe swiy is getting hassled for needles when people should be helping others stay clean and free from infection, has swiy tried going to a normal clinic and just asking for some? not sure how it works in your side of the pond but here all swim does is go to a health clinic and ask, and when the nurses/docs shifts are over they leave a box out for anyone to just take.

McSmokey added 10 Minutes and 21 Seconds later...

forgot to add they give them out for free here in clinics

[Thor1394]

SWIM also lives in Florida and knows how tight they can run things here. SWIM used to live in Orlando and could not get needles from any pharmacy, and no exchange programs around here either. While living there SWIM actually found a diabetic and bought directly from her or had her buy them for SWIM and gave her a few bucks for the trouble. Now SWIM lives in a shit hole town and can easily buy most places so doesn't worry anymore. Here are some tips that can help. One always dress nice and try to look straight. Two always say they're for a relative or pet, sometimes animals need shots too. The story SWIM finds to work best is his grandma just flew in and the airports tight security would not permit syringes because they can be used as a weapon, than complain how stupid people can be and that they shouldn't deny an old lady her medical supplies. Of course airports would always allow people to bring medical supplies to prevent law suits if someone became ill from not taking their medicine, but most people buy it anyway. Last buy in bulk, they suspect you less when buying alot rather than just 10. Also always make polite and friendly conversation, this will always be a plus. And look up on the internet brands of insulin and average doses just in case they ask what kind your grandma takes and how much. SWIM also finds it very effective when they ask what kind of syringes, what kind of insulin, to play dumb at first pretend to call granny and then tell them very specifically what she needs while on the phone with her.

[frankpikins]

everyone on this thread just went off on tangents about the moral obligation of U.S. drug store clerks and the interweb and forgot about the question. what swim needs to ask for is 28 or 30 gauge 1cc needles not all stores carry 30 gauge but they are my faves. As for this pharmacy bullshit swim has been purchasing needles for quite some time and has never had a problem. i evan had a pharmacist tell me i should buy a box and sell the individual bags to my friends. i of coarse replied with, but my friends are not all diabetic?? i think that if you go in there with a good attitude its chill, its when you go in there angry thinking that they are judging you and shit that its a bad experiance. swim loves his local drugstores and thinks all of you should to!

[Sniffin Sunshine]

yes swim is surprised this thread made its way up to the top of the forum actually, she posted it quite a long time ago, well about 8 months ago. since then she has found a little shack of a pharmacy in the hood that will sell a ten pack very cheap no questions asked, so the problem has been solved. however the thread might be of use to someone else
just know what to ask for- 28 or 29 guage 1 cc long tips is what swim has went with
walmart indeed is another place that will sell them, they might ask a question like how many units you take, but will still sell them even if swiy doesnt know the answer
one can find some information on types of insulin and units on the internet though if necessary

[dolo]

This sounds so fucked up. Is selling syringes and needles behind prescription there in States? Here if if someone would ask swim what he is needing his things for swim would tell him/her fuck off and mind his own business.

[perfectday]

SWIM have the same problem, my parents took me outta the city last week and now i'm living with them, and i have no idear where to get a rig, all the local stores keep them behind glass, and SWIM is embarrassed to ask about them, SWIM did have cancer in the past, so he knows what to say if someone asks what theyre for, even though there was never a time when SWIM needed a syringe for his medications, do you think a pharmacy would know that? is swim of legal age to buy them? he is 20