Needle Exchange
Who's it for?
Any injecting drug user residing in Bradford
What we offer
This is an easily accessed service - clients can drop in any weekday for advice, information and to collect clean injecting equipment or to dispose of used equipment. The exchange provides a variety of needles and syringes, needle safes, citric acid, filters, spoons and swabs.
When clients register at the Needle Exchange, they undertake a risk assessment and health check-up, so that exchange staff can offer advice on harm reduction and help monitor general health. Clients attending the exchange always have the opportunity to discuss problems they may be experiencing in relation to drug use, in confidence. Exchange staff will provide support to clients who want to address their drug use and direct them to appropriate services or assist those clients who continue to inject drugs to minimise the risk.
Clients using the exchange can expect a friendly non-judgemental welcome from staff and will be encouraged to make use of the services available. A physical health nurse is available four days each week and is able to undertake testing for blood borne viruses, offer advice and treatment for injecting trauma injury and give advice on general and sexual health matters. Free pregnancy testing and Hepatitis B vaccinations are also available.
Additional services include free fruit, clothing, a resource library containing information about local services and auricular acupuncture.
We also have a partnership with 1st Pharmacy, Fountain's Hall, Fountain Street, Bradford, BD1 3RA, where a drug worker is available Monday to Friday between 3pm and 10pm.