NEedle Exchange

The needle exchange programme is a place where injecting drug users can confidentially collect and return injecting equipment, whilst at the same time receive safer injecting advice to reduce the harms associated with injecting drug use.

We have specifically allocated Exchange times. When you attend for the first time we complete an initial assessment; we ask you to give us a personal identifier that you will remember and which you will use each time you use the service (we don’t ask for your name).
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The assessment enables us to provide you with the right information for the substance you are using, with a view to reducing the harms caused by injecting drug use.
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Once you have registered you can use your personal identifier to collect and return injecting equipment free of charge.

You might want to use some of our other services and we will be able to refer you either for recovery work, counselling or a space to explore your current drug use. If you have been exposed to risk in terms of blood borne viruses such as hepatitis C, we can refer you to the Orchard Clinic for blood screening.