Needle and syringe programmes: What they are and how to use them

Needle and syringe programmes provide new, clean injecting equipment and advice on how you can stay safer. They also accept used equipment and safely dispose of it.

Needle and syringe programmes explained

If you take drugs by injecting them, you are more likely to get injuries, infections and blood-borne viruses. The risks are reduced when you use clean equipment.

At a needle and syringe programme (NSP), you can get new, clean supplies, such as needles, syringes, citric or vitamin C and other equipment for injecting. You can also return any used equipment for safe disposal.

NSPs also offer simple, free testing for blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis C, as well as advice on how to stay safer while injecting drugs.

How to use a needle and syringe programme

Anyone who injects drugs can use an NSP, and the service is free and confidential. Staff will ask you for basic information about yourself and they will not share this information with anyone else.

NSPs are usually located in drug and alcohol support services - including Change Grow Live - and in pharmacies.

NSPs also provide free naloxone kits and training. Naloxone is a drug that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose and save someone’s life.

Find a needle and syringe programme near you

You can find an NSP wherever you see this sign:  

the needle exchange logoMany of our drug and alcohol services offer an NSP. Get in touch with your local service or visit their website to find out if they have an NSP.

Find your local service

If you’re already using one of our services, you can order free, safer injecting supplies delivered to your home through a service called NSP Direct.

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

Naloxone: The overdose reversal drug

Naloxone can reverse the effects of opioids, such as heroin, methadone, opium, codeine, morphine and buprenorphine. A naloxone dose can save someone’s life if it's used quickly after they’ve overdosed 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 Change Grow Live services.

Read more about naloxone and what to do if someone is overdosing.

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