Harm Reduction Advice
There are injecting populations in every part of Scotland, including our rural and remote
communities. Local authorities, Health Boards and Community Health (and Care) Partnerships have
a duty to respond to the needs of these populations, not only to reduce the significant risks of
injecting to injectors themselves, but also to prevent the transmission of HCV and other BBVs within
the general population.
In Fife you can obtain Injecting equipment in two ways:
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From Community Pharmacies across Fife
From the Specialist Harm Reduction Service
The Harm Reduction Programme promotes health protection for injecting drug users and helps to
reduce the risk of passing on infections to others. However, needle exchange is not just for people
who inject Heroin. The service is also for those who use or are about to start using:
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Steroids or other performance or image enhancing drugs (PIEDs)
Other psychoactive compounds, chemicals, plants or medicines.
Harm reduction is our primary, frontline response to reducing the potential harms associated with
active drug use, particularly injecting drug use, including: BBVs, overdose, bacterial infections, etc.
Harm reduction services, such as needle and syringe exchanges, play a part in referring people to
appropriate drug treatment programs and linking them with other health and social services.
Pharmacy Needle Exchanges
Can issue basic needle and syringe packs and accept used needles and syringes. Community
Pharmacies also offer a range of other services.
Addaction Fife Specialist Harm Reduction Service
Offers a wider range of equipment than the above pharmacy based exchanges and also offers a
range of other services to help reduce drug related harm including:
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1:1 assessment, referral and support into treatment (only if requested)
Overdose prevention work including access to The Take Home Naloxone programme (THN).
Blood borne virus testing for HIV and Hepatitis
Needle exchange staff can provide advice & information on issues related to substance use. Simply
let us know what you’re using and we will ensure that you get the right equipment. We will also be
happy to discuss your injecting practice and any concerns or questions you may have in relation to it.
Some basic and anonymous details will be asked for on the first visit. There will be an expectation for
you to use the same information at every exchange.
Addaction operates from a number of venues in Fife and also operates a Mobile Outreach unit – see
full details on document available for download.
Safer Injecting Advice:
To avoid the health risks associated with taking drugs, it is safer not to inject or to use alternative
methods of taking drugs. However, some people are not in this position so the following advice is
important:
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We strongly advise all injectors to seek professional advice throughout the time you are
injecting.
In-depth safer injecting and harm reduction information and advice is available from all
Addaction sites
Wash your hands before preparing works.
Always use a new, sterile needle and equipment.
Never share any equipment or works.
Find a hygienic area to prepare.
Cleanse the part of your body where you are going to inject.
For more information:
Addaction Fife
T: 01592 619090
E: fife@addaction.org.uk
Location
Service
Time
Monday
Methil
Sailors Rest, 230 High Street, Lower Methil, KY8 3EF
Drop in
1.00pm-3.00pm
Dunfermline
24 Canmore Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NT
Drop in
10.00am-12.00pm
& 1.30pm-4.30pm
Tuesday
Glenrothes
8 Hanover Court, Glenrothes
Drop in
1.00pm-3.00pm
Crosshill
Crosshill Community Centre, Inchgall Ave, KY5 8AX
Mobile Unit
12.30pm-1.30pm
Ballingry
Bus Turning Circle, Ballingry Road
Mobile Unit
2.00pm-2.45pm
Lochgelly
Lochgelly Health Centre, David Street
Mobile Unit
3.00pm-4.00pm
Wednesday
Methil
Sailors Rest, 230 High Street, Lower Methil, KY8 3EF
Drop in
1.00pm-3.00pm
Dunfermline
24 Canmore Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NT
Drop in
10.00am-12.00pm
& 1.30pm-4.30pm
Thursday
Glenrothes
8 Hanover Court, Glenrothes
Drop in
1.00pm-3.00pm
Kirkcaldy
Stocks Car Park, Links Street, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1SG
Mobile Unit
1.00pm-2.00pm
Kirkcaldy
Alford Avenue by Templehall Local Office
Mobile Unit
2.15pm-3.00pm
Kirkcaldy
St Clair Street behind St Clair Pharmacy, KY2 6QL
Mobile Unit
3.30pm-4.15pm
Friday
Methil
Sailors Rest, 230 High Street, Lower Methil, KY8 3EF
Drop in
1.00pm-3.00pm
Dunfermline
24 Canmore Street, Dunfermline, KY12 7NT
Drop in
10.00am-12.00pm
& 1.30pm-4.30pm