A vital drug needle exchange service in Belfast is scheduled to close its city center location on November 2, prompting warnings from charity workers that vulnerable individuals will be left without essential support. The service, operated by the charity Extern, provided a safe space for people who inject drugs to dispose of used needles, obtain clean ones, and access health services.
Extern's Royal Avenue premises are being redeveloped as part of the Belfast Stories project, and the charity has struggled for over a year to secure an alternative city center location, despite assistance from Belfast City Council, the Public Health Agency (PHA), and the Department of Health.
Mal Byrne, Extern's director of harm reduction and mental health services, described the needle exchange as a "life-saving service" and expressed concern that its closure will leave many individuals with "nowhere to go" for help. "The people who use this service are someone's son, daughter, brother, sister, parent or friend," Byrne stated. "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."
Extern also cautioned that the closure could lead to an increase in visible drug use and discarded needles in the city center. In the past year alone, the exchange facilitated the safe return of nearly 20,000 used needles, while Extern's outreach team removed over 13,000 discarded needles from Belfast's streets, marking a 20% increase from previous years.
Independent councillor Paul McCusker echoed these concerns, warning that the closure puts vulnerable people "at even greater risk." He highlighted the severe consequences of addiction, including limb loss and death, and criticized the current political response to what he described as a "drug epidemic" in Belfast. McCusker emphasized the critical role of needle exchange services in harm reduction, providing a point of contact for individuals to build trust, minimize health risks, and access referrals to treatment and support services.
The PHA reports that the Enhanced Needle and Syringe Exchange Service (NSES) across Northern Ireland recorded over 32,000 transactions in 2024-2025, with approximately 721,000 needles and syringes distributed. The agency stressed the importance of local service provision for vulnerable individuals who may face complex social issues and lack access to sterile equipment and advice, noting that needle exchanges are often the only services these individuals are willing to use.