NHS Dumfries and Galloway Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service.

06/03/2026

Recovery movement in Annan 💜

06/03/2026

If you’ve lost someone to drugs, you’re not alone 🌿

Losing someone to drugs is a painful and life‑changing experience. Whether it happened recently or many years ago, the impact can be overwhelming. Please know that support is available — you don’t have to carry this on your own.

If you’re already linked in with our service, please reach out to your worker. They are there to help, to listen, and to support you through grief in a way that feels right for you.

If you’re not currently involved with our services, or you feel you would be more comfortable speaking to someone else, there are other organisations who can offer confidential, compassionate support:

💚 Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol & Drugs
Providing helpline, one‑to‑one support, bereavement support, groups, and someone to walk alongside you.
👉 email: www.sfad.org.uk or telephone: 0808 010 1011

💙 Being There – Alcohol and Drug Support South West Scotland
A local service offering emotional support, guidance, and a safe space for anyone affected by someone else’s substance use or loss.
👉 email: beingthere@adssws.co.uk or telephone: 01556 503550

No judgment. No pressure. Just someone to talk to, when you’re ready.

You don’t have to face this alone. Reach out. Support is here. 💛

Scottish Families is a national charity that supports anyone affected by someone else’s alcohol or drug use in Scotland.

27/02/2026

What are nitazenes?🧐

Nitazenes are a group of extremely strong, synthetic opioid drugs like
Fentanyl.

They act in a similar way to natural opioids (that come from the o***m poppy), like morphine or codeine and semi-synthetic opioids
such as he**in. However, they are much more dangerous ☠️– they can
be up to 500 times stronger than he**in and are more likely to stop your breathing than other opioids. They are only found in the illicit
drug market, so their purity can vary widely, even in the same batch. Overdosing on nitazenes is very easy and happens very rapidly.

There is no known safe dosage of nitazenes.

Nitazene strength is highly variable. They are commonly found in powders or crystals, however, they can be indistinguishable
from other drugs. They are also sometimes found in pills, liquids or v**e refills. Sometimes, when people have bought other drugs such as he**in, co***ne or M**A (ecstasy), they have been contaminated or
completely substituted with nitazenes. They have also been found in counterfeit tablets like benzos and other types of opioids. Often people take them unknowingly and are unaware of the high risk of overdose.

If you use drugs always remember to start low and go slow. Never use alone and always have Naloxone available. Stay safe everyone 💜

27/02/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

27/02/2026

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

27/02/2026

‼️IMPORTANT HARM REDUCTION INFORMATION ‼️

Drug supplies in Scotland ARE unpredictable. Strength and contents can change, even from the same source. You never truly know what is in the drugs you are taking.

Protect yourself and your friends:
• Treat all substances with caution
• Start low, go slow
• Avoid mixing drugs (including alcohol or medicines)
• Don’t try new drugs, new batches, or new sources
• Try not to use alone and don’t let friends use alone
• Seek medical help if anyone feels unwell

Know the overdose signs:
• Slow or difficult breathing
• Pale or grey skin
• Blue/purple lips, fingertips, or nails
• On darker skin, this may be easier to see inside lips, on the gums, and under nails

Carry naloxone
• Give naloxone and call an ambulance if someone overdoses
• You may need multiple doses (wait 2–3 minutes between each)
• It only works on opioids, but it won’t harm someone if opioids aren’t involved

Naloxone kits are available from the Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service for people already engaged with the service. Kits can also be accessed through With You services in both Dumfries and Stranraer. Kits can also be ordered online through Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs Click and Deliver service: https://www.sfad.org.uk/support-services/take-home-naloxone-application?fbclid=IwY2xjawQObw5leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEe7Cjx-iSAMaYOib1SYhDPcQkKAmdDY5Gnhf2YwQD4hDJh-u99sROo2uikYhA_aem_sVZaGdL19DB_K3UujpXSsA

Anyone can raise awareness about a dangerous drug circulating in Dumfries and Galloway by reporting incidents to Scotland’s Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response system (RADAR) by visiting the following Internet address: https://redcap.phs.scot.nhs.uk/surveys/?s=78N3H893CFHYCDHA

Stay connected with harm reduction services. Get supplies, advice, and support. For more information on drug and alcohol services in Dumfries and Galloway visit: www.dgadp.co.uk

27/02/2026

We still continue to see suspected drug-related harm and death in Dumfries and Galloway, particularly in the Stranraer area

The drug supply in Scotland continues to be dangerous and unpredictable. Public Health Scotland and Dumfries and Galloway ADP have advised anyone who is using street drugs, or supporting someone else who is, to assume that they are contaminated with other drugs'.

Testing kits available for Niazenes and Xylazine @ NHS Dumfries and Galloway Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service.

27/02/2026

Next Annan Recovery Group
Next Wednesday 4th March 💙
Time: 6:30-8:30pm

This is an open group!
Everyone is welcome!
Recovery is for everyone!
We do recover together!

How can we help you?

- A warm and welcoming recovery community
- Friendships
- Peer led
- Covering different topics each week to help you in your recovery journey
- Exploring different pathways to rehabilitation
- Referrals to a trauma counselling specialist
- Signposting and advice
- A listening ear
- Connection

Everyone is welcome 💙
The opposite of addiction is connection ✨

Location:

VICTORIA HALL MEETING COMPLEX (LESSER HALL), DOWNIES WYND, ANNAN, DG12 6EE

For more information or a chat contact:

Rachel - 07521935278
Marita - 07555970276

09/02/2026

The Recovery Cafe - February 25th 2026 ☕️

Date: Wednesday 25th February
Doors Open: 6:30pm
Hot meal served: 7:00pm
Special Guest Speaker: 8:00pm

Location: YMCA Cafe Dumfries, Lochside Rd, DG2 0NF

We will be joined by Paul Algeo sharing his
powerful story!

There will be a delicious free hot meal served too!

Struggling in addiction?
Looking for a recovery community?
Family/friends of a loved one looking for support?
Exhausted every other option/considering a pathway to a rehab?
Looking for connection/friendly folks?
Supporting someone and trying to show them there is hope?

When you’re in active addiction/trying to sustain recovery, hearing stories of others overcoming brings hope!

We would love to meet you!

For more info or to chat contact Andrew:
07858 417137

Location: YMCA Cafe Dumfries, Lochside Rd, DG2 0NF

06/02/2026

A CALL for extra vigilance has been issued by the Alcohol and Drug Partnership (ADP), following a recent increase in suspected drug-related deaths in Stranraer.

The current drug supply in Scotland is inconsistent and often contains substances people do not expect. This makes any street drug, new or familiar, capable of causing sudden overdose, serious harm, or death.

Drugs circulating locally may contain synthetic opioids such as nitazenes, medetomidine or other dangerous contaminants. These can be active in very small amounts and may lead to rapid deterioration after use. Nitazenes have been implicated in recent drug-related deaths in Dumfries and Galloway, as well as other areas across Scotland.

Chris Allan, Consultant in Public Health, said: “We are seeing an increase in drug-related deaths in Stranraer, and we want people across Dumfries and Galloway to be aware of the risks.

“At the moment, no one can be sure what is in their drugs. That uncertainty is the main danger.”

“Any substance can be contaminated, and even people with long-term experience of drug use can be caught off guard.

“We advise anyone who is using street drugs, or supporting someone else who is, to assume that they are contaminated with other drugs.”

People who use drugs are being urged to be extra vigilant, and are provided the following advice to help reduce risks of harm:

Get naloxone, carry naloxone and know how to use naloxone.
Continue to engage with harm reduction services
Treat all substances with caution, as you can’t be sure of what is in it or its strength
Start low and go slow until you know the substance’s effects
Seek medical help if you or someone else feels unwell
Avoid buying new types of drugs, new batches, or from unfamiliar sources
Avoid mixing drugs (including alcohol and medicines)
Try not to use drugs alone
Watch out for overdose signs like difficulty breathing, blue colouring to lips or fingertips, unresponsiveness and limp limbs.

Dr Allan said: “Ensuring ready access to Naloxone kits, which can help to treat an overdose, could be vital.

“And due to the potency of synthetic opioids like nitazenes, which might be present, you may need to administer multiple doses of Naloxone every 2-3 minutes.”

Naloxone kits are available from the Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service for people already engaged with the service. Kits can also be accessed through With You services in both Dumfries and Stranraer. Kits can also be ordered online through Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs Click and Deliver service: https://www.sfad.org.uk/support-services/take-home-naloxone-application

A pilot project offering drug self-testing strips, testing for contaminants such as nitazene or xylazine, has begun in Dumfries and Galloway and can be accessed through the NHS Specialist Drug and Alcohol Service and With You.

If you are concerned about a drug, you are able to independently and anonymously submit a sample for testing to the WEDINOS project. For more information please visit: www.wedinos.org

Anyone can raise awareness about a dangerous drug circulating in Dumfries and Galloway by reporting incidents to Scotland’s Rapid Action Drug Alerts and Response system (RADAR) by visiting the following Internet address: https://redcap.phs.scot.nhs.uk/surveys/?s=78N3H893CFHYCDHA

For more information on drug and alcohol services in Dumfries and Galloway visit: www.dgadp.co.uk

28/01/2026

Looking for confidential and judgement‑free support?
Our Injecting Equipment Provision (IEP) service is here to help.

We offer free, safe, and discreet access to injecting equipment, along with friendly harm‑reduction advice from our NHS Drug & Alcohol Service team. Whether you’re looking for safer‑use information, help reducing harm, or support towards recovery, we’re here for you.

Here are some simple ways to look after yourself or someone you care about:

🌟 Don’t use alone – Having someone nearby could save a life in an emergency.
🌟 Start low, go slow – If you’re trying something new or haven’t used in a while, use less.
🌟 Avoid mixing substances – Combining drugs or drugs with alcohol increases risk.
🌟 Look after your mental health – Stress, grief, and low mood can affect decision‑making. Reach out if you’re struggling.
🌟 Use clean equipment every time – It reduces infection risks. Our IEP service can help.
🌟 Know the signs of overdose – If someone is unresponsive or struggling to breathe, call 999 immediately.
🌟 Carry naloxone if it’s appropriate for you – It can save a life. We can provide training and kits.
🌟 Reach out for support – Whether you want advice, safer‑use information, or help making changes, we’re here.

💬 Our service is free, confidential, and judgement‑free.
If you or someone you know needs support, message us or contact the
NHS Speciist Drug & Alcohol Service on 01387 244555 Dumfries & Galloway Health & Social Care

With You

0800 035 0793 Email us: dumfriesgalloway@wearewithyou.org.uk

Everyone deserves safety, dignity, and compassionate care.

🤝 Confidential · Non‑judgemental · NHS‑led
💬 If you or someone you know could benefit, get in touch with our team at the Drug & Alcohol Service. - 01387 244555

Everyone deserves safety, dignity, and support.
Feel free to share and help spread the word.

28/01/2026

TONIGHT Wednesday 28th January!

Our monthly Recovery Cafe - January 2026 ☕️

We will be joined by Candice Gorman sharing her
powerful story 💜

There will be a delicious free hot meal served too!

Struggling in addiction?
Looking for a recovery community?
Family/friends of a loved one looking for support?
Exhausted every other option/considering a pathway to a rehab?
Looking for connection/friendly folks?
Supporting someone and trying to show them there is hope?

When you’re in active addiction/trying to sustain recovery, hearing stories of others overcoming gives hope 💜

We would love to meet you!

Date: Wednesday 28th January
Doors Open: 6:30pm
Hot meal served: 7:00pm
Special Guest Speaker: 8:00pm

Location: YMCA Cafe Dumfries, Lochside Rd, DG2 9AG