Harm Reduction Services for people who inject drugs

Previously called Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES) now renamed to Harm Reduction Services for people who inject drugs.

PHA commission two key harm reduction services for people who inject drugs. These are:

  • Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES)
  • Take Home Naloxone Programme (THN)

NSES is a free, anonymous and confidential service for people who inject opioids, steroids, tanning solution or stimulants. This is an evidence-based, public health initiative which aims to reduce the spread of blood borne viruses, reduce needle discards and engage people who inject drugs in harm reduction conversations. The service offers a wide range of sterile injecting equipment in exchange of the safe disposal of used injecting equipment. 

The Take Home Naloxone programme has become an integral part of most NSES sites and aims to supply naloxone packs to those at risk of opioid overdose, their families and professionals. Naloxone temporarily and rapidly reverses the effects of an overdose. The naloxone products currently available in the THN programme are:

  • Prenoxad® 2mg/2ml pre-filled syringe for intramuscular injection
  • Nyxoid® 1.8mg nasal naloxone spray x 2 doses
  • Pebble® 1.26mg intra-nasal spray x 2 doses 

Key resources:

NSES and THN providers across Northern Ireland

Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES) Scheme and Providers

The leaflet provides a detailed overview of how the scheme operates and includes contact details for all participating pharmacies and other providers involved in the Needle and Syringe Exchange Service scheme and providers across Northern Ireland. (NEEDS UPDATED for 2025)

Take Home Naloxone Programme (THN)

The leaflet provides a detailed overview of how the scheme operates and includes contact details for all participating pharmacies and other providers across Northern Ireland. 
At risk of overdose? Naloxone saves lives
Naloxone contact details NI.pdf (BOTH NEED UPDATED for 2025)

 

Additional resources (services, suppliers, training)

Suppliers

  • Exchange Supplies
    Our current supplier for all NSES and THN equipment is Exchange Supplies. For additional information on the equipment, training or harm reduction literature please visit Needles | Syringes | Swabs | Other injecting equipment
  • NSP Direct - order injecting equipment online
    Now available across Northern Ireland and can be accessed using any postcode. This is a free, confidential service which discreetly delivers injecting equipment directly to your door. Access to this is at https://www.exchangesupplies.org/nspdirect

Drug treatment services

PHA Support

  • Any queries regarding either the Needle and Syringe Exchange Service or the Take Home Naloxone Service should be directed to adele.dunn@hscni.net 

Training

  • PHA offer an annual Harm Reduction Training calendar for both NSES and THN practitioners and Naloxone Administration Courses for members of the public. If you would like the most up-to-date calendar please email harmreduction@hscni.net
  • Further harm reduction training is also available at e-learning from Exchange Supplies

 

Northern Ireland NSES and THN Quarterly Reports

Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES) and Take Home Naloxone (THN) Quarterly Reports

Following the implementation of the Harm Reduction Information System for Northern Ireland, Neo360 in December 2022 PHA publishes quarterly activity reports on harm reduction services. 

The quarterly reports summarise the regional NSES and THN activity alongside anonymous, non-identifiable client data across Northern Ireland.

Click here to access the latest NSES and THN quarterly report and its archive.

Northern Ireland NSES and THN Annual Reports

Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES) and Take Home Naloxone (THN) Annual Reports

PHA publishes annual reports on the commissioned harm reduction services based on the information collated on the Harm Reduction Information System for Northern Ireland, Neo360 which records non-identifiable, anonymous client data at each transaction within both NSES and THN.

Click here to access the latest NSES and THN Report (reporting of both services amalgamated from 2024/2025)

Click here to access NSES report archive

Click here to access THN report archive

Conferences

Northern Ireland Needle and Syringe Exchange Service Conference: Enhancing Needle Exchange
Wednesday 2nd October 2024 | 9.30am – 4.00pm
Dunsilly Hotel, 20 Dunsilly Road, Antrim BT41 2JH

More details here NSES conference 2024 agenda

Click here for free registration: https://tinyurl.com/NSESC24 

 

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