The Swansea Drugs Project established Wales’ first needle exchange.

 The needle exchange is a free and confidential service for injecting drug users, where they are able to get sterile injecting equipment and dispose safely used injecting equipment.

Needle exchanges were set up to stop the spread of viral infections, such as HIV and Hepatitis amongst injecting drug users, and the project employs a full time needle exchange worker who is able to offer advice  on safer injecting and safer sex.

The needle exchange main aims are:

• Stop hepatitis infection
• Stop HIV infection
• Advice and information about overdose risks
• Advice about reducing harm associated with injecting practices