Needle Exchange and Supervised Consumption

Needle exchange

In order to keep you as safe as possible, our hubs and several pharmacies in County Durham provide needle exchange to reduce equipment sharing among injecting drug users. This service is strictly confidential, supports people to reduce high-risk injecting and protect their health, and provides safe disposal facilities for used injecting equipment.

Needle exchange locations

Download our poster containing all the below needle exchange locations in the county.

• • Boots UK Ltd, Craddock House, Easington Colliery, SR8 3PF

• • Boots UK Ltd, 17 Blackhills Road, Horden, SR8 4DW

• • Boots UK Ltd, 63 Church Street, Seaham, SR7 7HF

• • Boots UK Ltd, 37-39 Market Place, Barnard Castle, DL12 8NE

• • Boots UK Ltd, 2 North Street, Ferryhill, DL17 8HX

• • Boots UK Ltd, The Medical Centre, Front Street, Sacriston, DH7 6JW

• • Lloyds Pharmacy, 12 Station Road, Consett, DH8 5RL

• • Annfield Plain Pharmacy, 3 West Road, Annfield Plain, DH9 7XA
  • Cohens Chemist, 5 Bridge End, Chester le Street, DH3 3RA

• • County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, Centre for Change, 81-88 Whinney Hill, Old Elvet, DH1 3BQ

• • County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, Horden Recovery Centre, Sunderland Road, Horden, SR8 4NU

• • County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service, Saddler House, Saddler Street, Bishop Auckland, DL14 7BH

Supervised consumption

The service team can support you by prescribing substitute medication for your opiate dependence.

In line with standard practice across the UK, we’ll introduce you to a local pharmacy. Staff can offer you  further support by supervising you in taking this medication in a safe, professional, and confidential environment.

About two-thirds of pharmacies in County Durham provide this ‘supervised consumption’ service to support your recovery. The service will discuss with you what you can expect from the pharmacies. The pharmacies also expect you to be courteous towards pharmacy staff, attend alone, and accept that pharmacy staff will likely ask for proof of ID.