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

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Source: STAT News

Original: https://www.statnews.com/2026/03/18/opioid-smoking-vs-injection-severe-burns-com...

Published: Wed, 18 Mar 2026 08:30:00 +0000

Smoking drugs can lead to severe burns, complicating harm reduction efforts. Smoking instead of injecting drugs may reduce some risks. But a new study shows that opiate smokers are four times more likely to suffer severe burns. These burns complicate overall efforts to minimize the harms associated with drug use. The study highlights a major finding of increased risk when smoking opiates.