Harm Reduction FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about our Harm Reduction Service
Who do you share information with?
Am I limited to how much needle exchange equipment I can have at any one time?
Can I get needle exchange equipment without returning any?
Can I collect needle exchange equipment for a friend?
Does attending the needle exchange affect my methadone/subutex script?
Do I have to be clean and sober to attend appointments?
Do I have to pay?
No. KCA's harm reduction service is free at point of delivery.
Will I be seen alone?
You can have a one-to-one with a member of the Harm Reduction team in a private room. If you are dropping in to pick up clean needles or some leaflets, you will probably see other people - in the waiting room or in the needle exchange area.
Who do you share information with?
We have to tell our commissioners how many people are using our services (but not who they are) and how many needle packs we give out and receive back. For more information about confidentiality and information sharing, read our Confidentiality leaflet
Am I limited to how much needle exchange equipment I can have at any one time?
No. You can take as much as you need. However, if we think you are taking needles for the whole of the weight lifting team, we may ask to come and talk to the team or gym manager about the health risks of too-much steroid use.
Can I get needle exchange equipment without returning any?
Yes but we will encourage you to bring back used needles in the disposal box we provide to you. Used needles are dangerous and should be disposed of carefully.
Can I collect needle exchange equipment for a friend?
Yes. Although we prefer to see all the people who are using our services. That way, we can provide advice on how to inject, where to inject and so on.
Does attending the needle exchange affect my methadone/subutex script?
No. The use you make of the Needle Exchange is between the Harm Reduction team and you. However, if you need to use on top of a script, you might want to talk this over with one of the Harm Reduction team or with your Prescribing key worker who can see about having your dose increased.
Do I have to be sober and clean to attend appointments?
Preferably. It's much easier to remember the advice we give you. If you do attend stoned or drunk, we'll ask you to come back later or on another day.
Do I have to give up drugs?
Our aim is to see you completely free of drugs - but we know that's a big ask so we break it down a lot by asking you to use clean needles , to take our advice about injection routes and giving veins a rest and to wear a condom when you're having sex. When, and if, you want to, you can ask us about our other services - counselling, substitute prescribing, day programmes - but we'll leave that decision to you.
How often will I be seen?
You will be seen as often as you need to be seen.