GB Works - Needle Syringe Program

Needle Syringe Program

The Needle Syringe Program (NSP) is a community collaboration that provides people who use substances with safer-use supplies, including new, sterile needles and syringes, and safer inhalation equipment.

The program also accepts and safely disposes of used needles and equipment.

NSPs are based on the principle of harm reduction. The overarching goals are to:

  • Reduce the spread of blood-borne infections, such as HIV, Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B;
  • Encourage safe disposal of needles and other supplies;
  • Help prevent fatal overdoses; and
  • Provide information and support to people who use substances.

What services are available through the Needle Syringe Program?

All services provided by the Needle Syringe Program (NSP) are free and confidential.

The following are available or offered at the Grey Bruce Public Health NSP site:

  • Sterile needles
  • Steroid injection equipment
  • Safer smoking equipment
  • Alcohol swabs, filters, sterile water, tourniquets, and cookers
  • Disposal of used substance-use equipment
  • Hepatitis A & B vaccinations
  • Blood-borne infection testing
  • Referrals to other services
  • Condoms & STI testing
  • Information on safer substance use
  • HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis education
  • Health & social service referrals
  • Naloxone education and distribution

The following are available or offered at the other NSP sites:

  • Safer substance use equipment
  • Disposal of used substance-use equipment
  • Condoms 
  • Information on safer substance use
  • HIV/AIDS & Hepatitis education
  • Health & social service referrals
  • Naloxone education and distribution

Where can I access the Needle Syringe Program in Grey County?

The Needle Syringe Program is located in the following communities and locations in Grey County:

OWEN SOUND

  • Grey Bruce Public Health
    101 17th St. E.
    Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

  • Safe N’ Sound
    310 8th St. E.
    April 1 to Oct. 31, Open 7 days/week, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Nov. 1 to March 31, Open 24/7

  • Canadian Mental Health Association locations
    1101 2nd Ave. E., Suite 205 & 207
    1024 2nd Ave. E.
    1105 1st Ave. E.
    Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

  • Addiction Treatment Centre
    1050 2nd Ave. E., Unit 2/3
    Mondays to Thursdays, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
    Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
    Closed daily 12:30 to 1 p.m.
    Saturdays & Sundays, stat holidays, 9 a.m. to noon.

  • Owen Sound IDA Pharmacy
    810 10th St. W., Unit 6
    Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Saturdays & Sundays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DURHAM

  • Durham Apothecary
    320 College St. N.
    Mondays to Thursdays, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
    Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

DUNDALK

  • Dundalk Village Pharmacy
    55 Proton St. N.
    Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

HANOVER

  • Pharmasave, Hanover Medical Clinic, Lower Level
    118 7th Ave.
    Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Canadian Mental Health Association
    425 10th St., Unit 8
    Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

MARKDALE

  • South East Grey Community Health Centre
    55 Victoria Ave.
    Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

MEAFORD

  • Rexall Meaford
    54 Sykes St. N.
    Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    Saturdays & Sundays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Where can I access the Needle Syringe Program in Bruce County?

The Needle Syringe Program is located in the following communities and locations in Bruce County:

CHESLEY

  • Chesley Pharmacy
    38 1st Ave. S.
    Mondays to Fridays, 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

KINCARDINE

  • Canadian Mental Health Association
    865 Queen St.
    Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

LUCKNOW

  • Lucknow Pharmasave
    622 Campbell St.
    Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

PAISLEY

  • Paisley Pharmacy
    514 Queen St. S.
    Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
    Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

RIPLEY

  • Ripley IDA
    32 Queen St.
    Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

SAUBLE BEACH

  • Sauble Beach Pharmacy
    329 Main St.
    Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

SOUTHAMPTON

  • Rexall Southampton
    174 Albert St. S.
    Mondays to Fridays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
    Saturdays & Sundays, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

  • Kristen’s Pharmacy
    197 Albert St. S., Unit#3,
    Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Canadian Mental Health Association
    353 High St.
    Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 WALKERTON

  • Brown’s Guardian Pharmacy
    331 Durham St. E.
    Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 WIARTON

  • Canadian Mental Health Association
    527 Berford St.
    Mondays to Fridays, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

How do I safely dispose of sharps?

Put used sharps in a sharps container or other hard plastic container and bring it back to your NSP site or a pharmacy.

For more information, visit our Sharps Disposal webpage at the following link: Sharps Disposal

What are some strategies for preventing an overdose?

To reduce overdose risk: 

  • Avoid using drugs alone. If using with someone else, don’t use at the same time. If using alone, call or text the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) at 1-888-688-6677 or use the Brave App.
  • Avoid mixing substances. Mixing substances, including alcohol, increases the risk of harm and overdose.
  • Start with a low dose and increase slowly, especially if trying something new or restarting use.
  • Recognize the signs of an overdose: Slow or no breathing, gurgling or gasping, lips/fingertips turning blue/green/grey, the person is difficult to wake up and/or non-responsive.
  • If you think you may be having an overdose or are witnessing an overdose, call 9-1-1 immediately.
  • The Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act can provide legal protection if you call 9-1-1 to save the life of someone else or yourself in an overdose situation.

 

Additional resources:

National Overdose Response Service