Overdose Prevention Centres (OPCs) are hygienic, safe spaces where people are able to take drugs safely under the supervision of trained staff. They have access to sterile equipment and staff can respond immediately to overdose.

In different jurisdictions and political environments OPCs are also sometimes called Supervised Drug Consumption Facilities (SDCFs), Supervised Injection Facilities (SIFs), Drug Consumption Rooms, or other variations.

OPCs also provide an opportunity for brief interventions and advice, or for people to be referred to drug treatment, mental health services, wound care, blood testing and other support.

There are currently approaching 200 OPCs in operation across the world in at least 18 countries including Canada, Germany, Switzerland, France, Portugal, Scotland, Ukraine, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Spain, Denmark, Iceland, Mexico, Colombia, the US and Czechia.

In different jurisdictions and political environments OPCs are also sometimes called Supervised Drug Consumption Facilities (SDCFs), Supervised Injection Facilities (SIFs), Drug Consumption Rooms, or other variations.

OPCs prevent overdose deaths

OPCs reduce needle sharing that can lead to infections, including HIV and hepatitis C, as well as public injecting and discarded needles.

OPCs help increase numbers entering treatment and accessing other health and support services

OPCs are cost-effective reducing costs to health services and police.

See this FAQs and briefing paper for more details

Overdose Prevention Centres are winning community support all over the world. Hear about the experiences of the people who live near them in this video.

Scroll to the bottom of this page to see even more videos and resources on community support.

On entering the OPC, a new client's health status and drug use are briefly assessed. They then receive sterile equipment and have access to a clean booth where they can inject under the care of a nurse or other trained staff.

Clients then move to a recovery area for observation until safe to leave. Staff provide safer injecting advice, first aid, and overdose reversal treatment if needed. They may also offer referral to treatment and other services.

The best way to understand how an OPC works is to look inside.

You can also see how Canada's first OPC, Insite works, and one of Denmark's early mobile units

Many local areas are exploring the possibility of opening an OPC. The Scottish Government has now overcome opposition from Westminster, authorising an NHS Scotland managed OPC in the centre in Glasgow to help tackle record drug deaths and an HIV outbreak in the area. The Thistle, the UKs first formally sanctioned OPC, opened in January 2025.

The UK Government announced it will not interfere with Glasgow's centre and the Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, also said he would respect the wishes of the Scottish Parliament. This backing down creates an easier path for other places in England, Wales and Scotland to open one too. The UK Government, however, continues to stonewall questions around further OPCs in England and Wales, even on a research pilot basis.

OPCs are supported by many health bodies, police commissioners, NGOs and the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs with recognition of their potential to reduce harm.

In Glasgow, a mobile OPC was first opened by the late Peter Krykant - acting ahead of any changes to the law. This 'guerrilla' facility changed the debate in Scotland and across the UK.