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Extern appeals for city centre premises as needle exchange loses Royal Avenue base
As the Belfast Stories redevelopment works commences in early November, community Enhanced Needle Exchange service operated by Extern will lose its base.
From 2 November, Northern Ireland's only community Enhanced Needle & Syringe Exchange Service will move to a significantly reduced street-based service following the loss of its Royal Avenue premises.
As a community-based harm reduction service, Extern delivers 58% of all needle exchange transactions in Belfast. The loss of this base will be felt across the city as it is Belfast's only dedicated community needle exchange service, providing a trusted and accessible point of support for people who may not engage with other services.
Despite sustained efforts over the past year involving the Belfast City Council, landlords and property agents, the Public Health Agency and the Department of Health, a city-centre premises has not yet been secured. The Royal Avenue location is being redeveloped by Belfast Stories.
This service will continue in a reduced capacity to provide a safe needle exchange service through street-based outreach with our staff working directly with the people who use this service in the city.
However, needle exchange is only one part of the service. Loss of a premises means people who need support to reduce harms from substance use have nowhere to go to access life-saving harm reduction advice and interventions, healthcare support and wider practical assistance. This work will be suspended.
Extern continues to call on city stakeholders for support as they seek a premises in the city centre to provide critical frontline support for people living with drug dependency with nowhere else to go for health and social care supports.
"This is a life-saving service. The work that happens inside the door is critical. It helps people reduce the harms associated with substance use, access healthcare and practical support, and stay connected to services that can help keep them safe."
Mal Byrne, Director of Harm Reduction and Mental Health Services, Extern, said:
"Many people hear the term needle exchange and understandably think this service is simply about exchanging equipment. In reality, it is often the first step towards much wider health support for people facing some of the most difficult circumstances in our city."
"The people who use this service are someone's son, daughter, brother, sister, parent or friend. They are members of our community and, for many, this service is one of the few places where the door is open for them and where they can ask for help without judgement. That door is now closed until a space is secured to operate from. "
Mr Byrne continued, "This is a life-saving service. The work that happens inside the door is critical. It helps people reduce the harms associated with substance use, access healthcare and practical support, and stay connected to services that can help keep them safe."
"From next Monday, 2nd November, we will continue to provide a safe but significantly reduced needle exchange service through street outreach. Street substance use may also become more visible to the public. We will continue to walk alongside the people who rely on us, but outreach alone cannot replace the support that a dedicated premises provides. As we move into the winter months, we know that some people who had taken the important step of coming through our door for help will become harder to reach. That is why finding a new base for this service is of critical importance and a major priority for Extern."
Media Enquiries:
Sharon Hearty | [email protected] | 07739 977095