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.
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 over 150 OPCs in operation across the world in twelve countries including Canada, Germany, Switzerland, France, Portugal, the Ukraine, Norway, the Netherlands, Australia, Belgium, Spain and Denmark.
You can see where they are located on this map.
See here for a detailed assessment of the efficacy of OPCs from Public Health England
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
OPCs save more money than they cost by reducing costs to health services and police.