Needle exchange services – what they are and how to use one

This page will tell you about needle exchange services, and how to get clean injecting equipment and advice.  

What is a needle exchange service?  

If you take drugs by injecting them, you are more vulnerable to injuries, infections and blood borne viruses. 

Needle exchange programs are places where you can get new, clean injecting equipment and advice for staying safe. You can also return any used equipment so that it can be safely disposed of.   

Many of our drug and alcohol services also offer a needle exchange. Get in touch with your local service or visit their website to find out if they have a needle exchange program.   

Find your local service

  

We’ve also put together some advice for safer injecting and what to do if someone is having an overdose. 

Read our advice for safer injecting

Can I use a needle exchange service? 

Anyone who injects drugs can use a needle exchange service. You can use the service to get needles, syringes, citric or vitamin C and other equipment for injecting.  

Needle exchanges are usually in drug and alcohol support services, or in pharmacies. Many Change Grow Live services also offer needle exchange. You can also get tested for blood borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C.  

Visiting a needle exchange service is free and confidential. They will ask you for some basic information about yourself, but they will not share this information with anyone else.  

One of our needle exchange services can also give you free naloxone kits and training. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects of an overdose and save someone’s life.  

  
Find a needle exchange near me  

You can find a needle exchange wherever you see this sign:  

Image removed.Many of our drug and alcohol services also offer a needle exchange. Get in touch with your local service or visit their website to find out if they have a needle exchange program.  

Find your local service

If you’re using one of our services, you can also order free needle exchange supplies to your home through a service called NSP Direct.  

Find out about ordering needle exchange supplies to your home

naloxone kit (opioid overdose reversal drug) with syringe, needles and yellow packet

Naloxone – the overdose reversal drug

Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects of opioids, such as heroin, methadone, opium, codeine, morphine and buprenorphine. A naloxone dose can even save someone’s life if it's used quickly after they’ve overdosed on opioids and before emergency help arrives.   

The effects of naloxone don’t last very long, so it’s important to always call 999 and ask for emergency help when you use it.  

You can get a free naloxone kit and training from one of our services.   

Find out about naloxone and what to do if someone is overdosing