Drug smoking can lead to severe burns, complicating harm reduction efforts

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Smoking drugs like fentanyl increases the risk of severe burns, with users four times more likely to require acute burn care.
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In Oregon, 53% of burn-related emergency visits involved individuals using smokable drugs, despite this group comprising only 15% of the population.
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Burns often result from using powerful butane torches, which can cause severe injuries due to their locking mechanisms and users' altered consciousness.
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The study highlights the need for harm reduction strategies that minimize burn risks while acknowledging the shift from injecting to smoking drugs.
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Experts emphasize the importance of safer smoking practices, such as using soft flames instead of torches, to reduce the risk of severe burns.

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