Belfast needle exchange to close on 2 November as street service replaces city centre site
Extern says vulnerable service users will be left without access to life-saving harm reduction support
The Extern-run needle exchange on Royal Avenue in Belfast city centre will close on 2 November, with a “significantly reduced street-based service” replacing it. The service allows people who inject heroin or cocaine to safely dispose of used needles, receive clean needles and access health services; it also provided a wound-dressing service. Extern described it as a “life-saving service” and warned its closure meant vulnerable people would have nowhere to go to access support.