Replacing new medication needles “life-saving,” experts say

A new and improved drug needle exchange has opened in Belfast city centre.

The service is run by the charity Extern, which says the number of injecting drug users in Northern Ireland is increasing alarmingly.

In 2023, a total of 31,851 transactions were carried out by the Needle and Syringe Exchange Service across Northern Ireland.

Drug and injecting drug use is on the rise in Belfast, according to Iain Cameron, harm reduction services manager at Extern.

Mr Cameron said the service was vital and would allow the charity to provide additional services and support to people who use drugs.

Over the past six months the service has seen a rise in cocaine use, which Cameron describes as “incredibly worrying”.

“We have seen cocaine use increase dramatically. Cocaine has become more available. It is much cheaper and the purity level has increased,” he said.

“For example, someone who injects cocaine may inject 25 times a day.”

According to the British government, reported recent cocaine injections in Northern Ireland increased from 5.9% in 2018 to 84% in 2022.

The new needle exchange will allow people who inject drugs such as heroin or cocaine to safely dispose of used needles, obtain clean needles and access health services.

“There are very few families in Northern Ireland who are not affected by drugs and alcohol,” Cameron said.

“Unfortunately, the shame and stigma prevents people from speaking publicly about it or even seeking help.”

“This is about people’s lives. Everyone we’re talking about is someone’s son, someone’s daughter.”

Mr Cameron described part of the needle exchange's role as engaging with people and building a relationship with them.

He said it was important to engage people at an early stage in their drug use so that the service could provide them with help and support and refer them to services before they contract blood-borne viruses or other injuries caused by drug use.

Mr Cameron said there was a wider issue around the cost of drug use to the health system.

“Every penny we spend on mitigation services like this saves money down the road in our A&E services. Early intervention and education are key,” he said.

Kevin Bailey, regional director of drugs and alcohol at the health authority, said the new facility will help provide “life-saving” interventions and support.

“People who use substances and are often excluded from society face great stigma,” he said.

“When they come to this facility, they can be kept under observation if there are any issues with their health and well-being.

“If they have wounds from intravenous drug use, they can have their wounds examined and treated.”

He stressed that the facility is “not an overdose prevention facility” and that individual drug users can come in, bring their own drugs and consume them on site, which is illegal.

“If it ever becomes legal, as it has in Scotland and the south [Republic of Ireland] We will monitor these projects to see how they impact the local population and we will learn from that,” he said.