Harm Reduction
The Queen City Needle Exchange
The Queen City Needle Exchange provides sterile needles and a safe disposal location for used needles. Education on safer practices and keeping used needles out of the community is an important function of our needle exchange program.
Our staff can offer harm reduction counselling regarding sexual health and safer drug use practices and addictions counselling including referrals to treatment.
After Hours: For needle exchange outside our working hours, please contact the Street Project Van at (306) 766-7799.
National Needle Exchange sign used to discretely signpost free confidential needle exchange services.
The Process
How Our Service Works
We provide a safe, confidential, and judgmental-free space to access harm reduction supplies. Here is what you can expect when you visit us:
- Anonymous ID Setup: To help us track our impact and keep our services running, we will create a unique ID for you. It simply uses your initials, birth month, and birth year—no names or official IDs required.
- Needle Exchange: You can exchange your used needles for new ones on a 1-to-1 basis. A 10 pack of needles can also be picked up without an exchange.
- Pipes: One Straight or one bubble pipe per person is only available on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
- Harm Reduction Supplies: We offer a full range of safe drug use and safe sex supplies to help protect your health and reduce the transmission of HIV and Hepatitis C.
Supplies
What We Offer
A ten pack of insulin syringes and alcohol swab.
We offer three sizes of containers for used needles.
Each container can hold 40 needles (small), 200 needles (medium flip), and 400 needles (large).
Insulin Syringes and Drug Supplies
- Needles
- Alcohol swabs
- Condoms
- 3 sizes of Sharps Containers for safe disposal and storage
Educational materials include safe injection sites on the body, risks of sharing needles, and abscess care.
Crack Pipe Kits
- Glass stem pipe
- Brass screen filters
- Alcohol swab
Meth Pipe Kits
- Glass "bubble" pipe
- Alcohol swab
Kits also include educational material about the risks of sharing pipes and how to safely smoke.
Drug Testing Kits
We have drug testing strips available. Packages come with strips to test for Fentanyl, Benzodiazepines, and Xylazine.
HIV Self-Test Kits
Naloxone Kits
Stay Safe
Safer Injecting: Harm Reduction Tips
Staying safe means taking a few extra moments to protect your body. Keep these five rules in mind:
1. Clean Start: Always use a brand-new needle. Wipe your skin with an alcohol swab before you inject (not after).
2. Clean Mix: Use a fresh cooker and sterile water every single time to prevent infections and endocarditis (heart lining infection).
3. Aim Toward the Heart: Inject in the direction of your blood flow (toward the heart). Take your time and inject slowly.
4. Protect Vulnerable Areas: Stick to arms and hands. Avoid high-risk areas like the neck, head, groin, or genitals, and rotate your spots.
5. Dispose Safely: Keep used needles out of public spaces. Put them in a sharps container and bring them to us for safe disposal.
Community Safety
Community Safety: Safe Needle Disposal
🚨 Don't want to touch it? No problem. Report the needle online at
www.reportneedles.ca or call The Street Project at (306) 766-7799 and a team member will come collect it.
If you choose to dispose of the needle yourself, protect yourself by following these steps:
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Prep: Place a hard, unbendable container (like a coffee tin or pop bottle) on a flat surface.
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Pick Up: Use pliers or tongs. Hold the needle by the plastic barrel, keeping the sharp point facing away from you.
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Leave the Cap Off: Do not attempt to recap the needle.
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Drop & Seal: Put it in the container and close the lid tightly.
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Clean: Wash your hands with soap and water.
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Dispose: Keep the container away from children and take it to a designated needle disposal drop box.