Needle and Syringe Programme (previously Needle Exchange)

A needle and syringe programme is available throughout South Gloucestershire to meet the needs of people who inject drugs.  

This programme is confidential and includes:

• new needles and injecting equipment
• safe disposal boxes (we encourage people who inject drugs to return their used equipment to pharmacies in the safe disposal boxes when collecting new equipment. However, new equipment should be given out even when used equipment isn’t returned)
• harm reduction advice, including how to access treatment with Developing Health and Independence (DHI). 

When you see the below logo, you are able to return any used needles or injecting equipment and access new needles and equipment.

For more information and advice:

• phone: 01454 868750 
• freephone: 0800 0733011

The following pharmacies are part of the needle and syringe programme:

• if you are unable to attend the pharmacy to return needles and equipment, please phone DHI on: 0800 073 3011 or 01454 868750 and they will be able to help you.

Developing Health and Independence (DHI) offer finger-prick testing for infections like Hepatitis and HIV. DHI can also give you free naloxone.  Naloxone is an emergency medication that can reverse the effects of an overdose of opioids like heroin or methadone. Naloxone, alongside information on how to use it is freely available from DHI.

You can contact DHI via:

• phone: 01454 868750 
• freephone: 0800 0733011
• email: info@dhisouthglos.org.uk

People who inject drugs can protect themselves from infection by taking the following steps:

• never sharing, lending or borrowing needles, syringes or any injecting equipment
• never sharing a filter, mixing water, water cups, containers or spoons
• always using new, sterile needles and syringes
• cleaning the site that will be injected with a sterile wipe

People who inject drugs are advised to go to see a doctor if:

• they get any swelling at or near an injection site that lasts for more than a few days or is painful, tender, hot and/or red
• if they get any serious bleeding
• if an area of skin becomes sore, weeps, turns black or becomes pale or discoloured.