NEP Overview
Peel Public Health’s Needle Exchange Program (NEP):
- Offers new needles* and other services to reduce the spread of blood-borne diseases among people who use needles for the purpose of injecting drugs, including steroids.
- Protects the public by reducing the number of used needles discarded in public places like playgrounds and washrooms.
- Follows a “Harm Reduction” philosophy.
Small amounts of blood often remain in used needles, mixing and/or rinsing water, and other drug injecting equipment such as spoons or filters. If you share needles and drug-injecting equipment, you can get - or unknowingly spread - a blood-borne infection like HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C.
* The use of the term ‘needles’ refers to the whole injecting device: syringe, plunger, barrel, etc.
The Harm Reduction Philosophy
Harm Reduction recognizes that a certain percentage of the population will use drugs and the goal is to reduce the harm that might result from drug use. Harm reduction is decreasing the adverse health, social and economic consequences of substance abuse, for the user and the community, without requiring abstinence.
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NEP Services
All of Peel’s NEP services are free and confidential.
Our Peel Works NEP:
- Provides new needles and injection equipment.
- Provides containers for the safe disposal of used needles and equipment.
- Will pick up and safely dispose of used needles from needle exchange clients.
- Provides piercing kits which includes information about after care
- Provides information about safer drug use.
- Provides presentations on Harm Reduction, safer piercing, program services
- Provides information about safer sex as well as free condoms and lube.
- Offers referrals to:
- Peel’s Healthy Sexuality clinics for:
- Other agencies for support and treatment.
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Exchange Locations
To access needle exchange services in Peel:
- Call or text our cell phone at 647-225-1623
Regular hours:
Monday to Friday from 8:30a.m. to 4:30p.m.
After hours:
Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:00p.m. to 9:00p.m.
Saturday and Sunday from 11:00a.m. to 3:00p.m.
Visit one of our needle exchange sites located in all Peel Public Healthy Sexuality Clinics
Brampton
- 150 Central Park Dr., Suite 09 (across from the Bramalea City Centre)
Ph: 905-791-5905
Caledon/Bolton
- 18 King St. E - Bolton
Ph: 905-791-5905
Mississauga
- 325 Central Parkway West, Unit 21
Ph: 905-270-0587
- 2227 South Millway (South Common Mall)
Ph: 905-820-3663
- 6975 Meadowvale (Meadowvale Town Centre)
Ph: 905-270-5662
- 7330 Goreway Dr. (across from Westwood Mall)
Ph: 905-791-7800 ext. 7843
Visit one of our needle exchange sites located in the following community agencies:
John Howard Society of Peel-Halton-Dufferin
www.johnhowardphd.ca
100 Queen St. W.
Brampton
905-459-2205
Hours: Monday – Friday; 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Peel HIV/AIDS Network
www.phan.ca
160 Traders Blvd., Unit 1
Mississauga
905-361-0523
Hours: Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Map of Needle Exchange Locations in Peel
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Links
Program Resources
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Revised:
Monday August 09 2010
