Fewer than 40 people now use the service, with data indicating an ageing population rather than new users, according to the annual report from drug support charity Independence.
‘We’ve seen a steady decline,’ said Independence executive officer Tracey Rear.
‘Certainly the last two years have continued as a downward trend, so it’ll be interesting to see what 2026 brings, and it looks like we’ve got an ageing population as well, which is all good information.’
The long-standing service operates as a harm reduction initiative, providing individuals at heightened risk with access to essential services in a safe and non-judgmental environment. The service offers clean injecting equipment and an opportunity to discuss concerns, as well as advice on safer injecting practices, general support and signposting to relevant services.
Independence’s services for people with alcohol issues were its most used services in 2025.
Alcohol-related risk is assessed using the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test. In 2025, 40 of Independence’s clients had Audit outcomes reported. At intake, 23 were classified as high-risk drinkers, and by the end of the process 11 had reduced to low risk, seven remained in the risky/harmful categories but had shown improvement, and five had demonstrated no significant change.
‘When I talk about problems with alcohol use, problems are on a spectrum, so people will experience a variation of problems,’ said Mrs Rear.
‘It’s not the repeated clients coming back, it’s newer people coming into the service. And we don’t know whether that’s because they’re not aware that we work with problems on a spectrum or on a continuum.
‘Some people come to us, and actually it’s really early on, and people might be thinking that they want to do something about this now before they really start to experience bigger problems. So we work across that range, so I think that’s why the numbers remain pretty steady, but with different people.’
Referrals for gambling-related problems remained steady in 2025, with 12 referrals over the year. Out of the 12 referrals, 10 attended assessments and more than half of them remain in treatment. Clients who completed treatment for gambling problems showed significant reductions in gambling risk moving from high risk to low or no risk.
‘That was slightly lower than the previous year, but it averages around 12 a year,’ said Mrs Rear.
Independence completed its first year in its new premises in 2025 and Mrs Rear said it had improved accessibility for clients.
‘It’s really nice having a suitable workspace where clients and staff feel valued,’ she said.
‘I think the space that you occupy is very important and we kind of hide in plain sight in Mill Street.
‘We’re really central, but it’s discreet at the same time.’
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