Planning for your drug experience, particularly your first one, is of the utmost importance and preparation makes for a very effective tool in harm minimisation.

It should be noted from the outset that this article is by no means promoting the use of drugs; it is simply acknowledging the fact that many people choose to use drugs and that the provision of information is the first move towards the reduction of drug related harm.

If you’re planning to take a drug, the first thing you should be doing is learning all there is to know about that particular drug. This includes such things as likely effects, recommended dosages, risks, etc. Such information can be obtained from many places; online (at websites such as The Ministry of Truth), in books (yes, books!), your local drug services agency (by ‘phone or in person, these services are anonymous), asking around (question people about their experiences), etc, etc.

1. When purchasing street drugs as a novice, it’s often difficult to be certain of the quality or identity of the drug. Always try and buy your drugs from a ‘reputable’ source. Ask your friends and try always to go through recommendation. Never purchase from a complete stranger, e.g., in a club, on the street, etc. Always keep in mind that, unless you do a chemical analysis, you can never be sure that a street drug is ‘safe’.
2. NEVER EVER take a substance without knowing what it is.

Learn about the different ways that the drug can be taken, e.g., smoked, snorted, injected, etc. Choose the method that best suits your needs and bear in mind that some methods, such as injecting, can be more hazardous than others, e.g., smoking. Carefully consider if your chosen method is worth the risks to you.

1. Learn about the equipment that you may need (if any) and learn how to use it effectively and as safely as possible. This section is particularly pertinent to those of you who wish to inject a particular drug (see How To Shoot Up).
2. The best way to learn how to take a drug is with an experienced and well trusted person to guide you.

1. The environment (setting) in which you take your chosen drug will have a profound effect on the way you will experience it. The primary consideration here should be physical safety. Give some thought to the way that the drug may affect you and how you could possibly hurt yourself. For example, inhaling nitrous oxide on a canal bank or rooftop would be sheer insanity and asking for trouble! Prepare your environment with a fair dose of good old fashioned common sense! Ask yourself if you could leave a toddler alone in the same environment without fear of them hurting themselves.
2. The second consideration should be for your psychological well being. This is especially important when you are taking drugs such as one of the psychedelics. Consider the following;

1. Taking a drug that significantly alters perception in a place crowded with strangers, e.g., your average club, may induce exacerbated feelings of paranoia or panic. This is particularly true if it is your first time using the drug as you simply cannot know in advance how you will be affected. Before letting your drug addled self loose in public, experiment with the drug first and get to know it and, more importantly, how you and the drug will interact, at least a little.
2. When taking your drug you do not want to be hassled by anything at all. You don’t want your mother showing up. You don’t want to have to deal with paying the milkman. You don’t want to have to change nappies or cook dinner. Trust me when I tell you that these every day things become nigh on impossible when you’re in a drug induced state!! Plan ahead and take your drug in a place where such things are unlikely to happen.

Something you should also give careful consideration to is the company that you will keep during your drug experience. Ideally, this should be a very small group of people who you know very well and with whom you can feel safe. At least one experienced fellow drug taker is a distinct advantage.

Close friends will look out for each other during their drug experiences. This will add to your safety. You do not want to take drugs with someone who’ll dump you on a field should anything go wrong.

This involves carefully thinking of every situation that may arise during your drug experience and making plans to deal with them. Ask yourself questions such as, ‘What could go wrong?’, ‘What if...?’, and think how you would cope with each eventuality.

In the event of something actually going wrong, having plans in mind to cope will minimise the risk of harm. Should a situation, such as a medical crisis, arise that you are not equipped to deal with, never ever hesitate to call emergency services and tell them everything they need to know. This is, perhaps, the most important piece of advice that can be given and could mean the difference between life and death.

Some drugs (e.g., LSD, Ecstasy, cocaine, amphetamines, etc.) will require a period of recovery after use. Most people just need to sleep or at least have some peace and quiet during this ‘come down’ period. You will probably feel extremely tired and irritable and certainly won’t be very good company. It’s important to also plan your recovery period.