Needle exchanges

You can get new equipment free, whatever you’re injecting, including steroids.

Let staff know what you’re using, and they’ll make sure you get the right equipment.

You can get:

• needles (pins)
• syringes (barrels)
• spoons (cookers)
• citric or vitamin C
• filters
• foil
• bins

When you visit our needle and syringe service, you'll talk to a trained member of staff in a private space. 

We'll ask for a few basic details, like your name and date of birth, and ask what you need. If you prefer, you can give your initials instead. 

We may also ask if you have any used equipment to return so we can dispose of it safely.

You can still collect new equipment even if you don't have anything to bring back. 

No. Anything you tell us is confidential. 

We only share information with someone else if we are really worried about your safety, or someone else's safety — and we will always try to talk to you first. 

As well as picking up clean equipment and disposing of used equipment safely, you can:

• Get advice about safer injecting, including caring for wounds, avoiding infections, and anything else you're worried about
• Talk to us about getting a script (prescription) for methadone or buprenorphine if you're using an opiate drug like heroin, if that's something you want to explore
• Get tested for viruses that are spread through blood, like HIV, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C
• Get vaccinated against Hepatitis B
• Get advice on how to prevent overdose, pick up free naloxone and learn how to use it.

If you want more help, we can also link you in with wider CDAS and community support — including alcohol or drug treatment, health advice, housing help, and other services.