DIVO - Ōtepoti Harm Reduction Services

12/06/2026

Margaret has supported DIVO for many years with her expertise as a Clinical Nurse Specialist - thank you so much for all your mahi!

16/05/2026

We're out and about in Otago on our outreach trip next week, partnering with local services and offering free screening for Hep C, HIV and syphilis. No appointment needed, just drop by, have a chat and get a free test!
Ōamaru – In outreach van behind Oamaru Pharmacy: Wednesday May 20th 8:30am-3:30pm
Alexandra – at Uruuruwhenua Hauora Central: Thursday May 21st 9am-2pm
Wānaka – In the reception area of the Wanaka Community Hub: Saturday May 23rd 10am-2pm

29/04/2026

Always wonderful connecting with the community and offering free health screening 😊 Here's our amazing nurse Margaret who was doing free Hep C and HIV/syphilis testing at a recent health event organised by Vaka Tautua in South Dunedin last week

Thank you Vaka Tautua Otago 💛💙 We loved being part of the Matua Foafoa & Disability Health Day last week in Dunedin. Our wonderful nurse Margaret offered free Hep C & HIV/Syphilis screening via a finger prick test - it's that easy!

22/04/2026

DIVO will be closed this Saturday April 25th to observe ANZAC day. Back open Tuesday April 28th

Reminder: We will be CLOSED across all sites for ANZAC Day Mon 27 April but have vending machines available 24/7 at our three sites in Christchurch, Nelson, Dunedin....back open Tues 28 April!

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them.

E kore rātou e kaumātuatia
Pēnei i a tātou kua mahue nei
E kore hoki rātou e ngoikore
Ahakoa pēhea i ngā āhuatanga o te wā
I te hekenga atu o te rā
Tae noa ki te aranga mai i te ata
Ka maumahara tonu tātou ki a rātou.

10/04/2026

Our Hep C nurse Margaret will be attending the Awarua Whanau Services expo held at Te Rau Aroha Marae in Bluff next week! Excited to be able to offer our free Hep C and HIV/syphilis screening at this awesome event alongside other health services 😊❤️

Awarua Whānau Services Expo

Curious about what we do at Awarua Whānau Services? Come along to our Whānau Services Expo and meet our incredible team, learn about our services, and connect with other providers supporting our community.

📅 Thursday 16 April 2026
⏰ 2:00pm – 7:00pm
📍 Te Rau Aroha Marae, 8 Bradshaw Street, Bluff

On the day we will be offering a range of FREE health checks and services, including:

✔️ Kidney Health Screening
✔️ Hep C Screening
✔️ Immunisations
✔️ Cervical Screening
✔️ Heart Checks with Dr John Cook – CardiAction
✔️ Kaitiaki Niho

Our kaimahi will also be there showcasing the mahi we do and sharing how we can support you and your whānau.

Kai will be provided, so come along, bring your whānau, and enjoy connecting with our team and community.

This is a great opportunity to check in on your health, learn about available services, and spend time together. It's shaping up to be a great afternoon and evening for our community — we would love to see you there!

Please share this post and help spread the word

30/03/2026

DIVO will be closed from Friday April 3rd - Monday April 6th for Easter.
Back open Tuesday April 7th
Ngā mihi o Te Aranga

27/03/2026

Proud to be part of DISC Trust here in Ōtepoti. Still Here — Still Harm Reduction.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1QTJeHzhZY/

We’re Still Here — Still Harm Reduction

DISC Trust continues to provide free, confidential, non‑judgmental & anonymous harm reduction services across Aotearoa.

Peer‑led services, drvg checking, harm reduction equipment, general health services, Hep C, HIV & Syphilis screening & treatment, homelessness outreach, & mental health support — we’re here, we’re operating, & we’re committed to safe, evidence‑based harm reduction in our communities.

📍 Ōtautahi Christchurch – Rodger Wright Centre
📍 Ōtepoti Dunedin – DIVO - Ōtepoti Harm Reduction Services
📍 Whakatū Nelson – NICHE
📍 Te Waipounamu mobile outreach
📍 Te Whanganui-a-Tara Wellington – Drvg Checking in partnership with DHDP
📍 Te Tai Tokerau – Peer-led mobile hep C service in partnership with Odyssey Trust
📍 Te Manawa Taki - Peer-led mobile hep C service in partnership with Odyssey Trust

19/03/2026

Check out our freshly repainted trusted front door! Come down and see the DIVO team to get your drugs checked, or a free health screen 🙂 At the moment if you get both a Hep C and an HIV/syphilis finger prick test you will receive a $10 pak n save voucher. It’s quick, easy and results in 5 mins!

25/02/2026

A couple of places the team have been at recently offering Hep C and HIV/syphilis finger prick screening. Great to be able to offer our mahi to the community around Dunedin and Otago! You will see us at various events around Dunedin, Otago and Southland but we also can do screening at our office in South Dunedin at 278D King Edward Street in DIVO 😀 The test is quick and easy and results in 5 mins!

23/01/2026

This highlights the importance of getting your drugs checked as it could save lives; sometimes you just never know what substances might be lurking in your drugs. DIVO's drug checking clinic runs 5 days a week: Tuesday 2:30pm-6pm, Wednesday 1pm-6pm, Thursday 10:30am-6pm, Friday 10:30am-6pm and Saturday 10:30am-4pm.

Check out the calendar for Dunedin and other locations across the country here: https://thelevel.org.nz/drug-checking-clinics
Clinics are free, legal, confidential, non-judgmental, and run by peers

DISC Trust runs drug checking clinics in Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington

NEW NOTIFICATION ⚠️⚠️ A potent mix of a benzodiazepine and a synthetic opioid have been detected in a fake pink oxycodone tablet in the Wellington region. ⚠️⚠️ Consumption of a combination of opioids and benzodiazepines can easily lead to an overdose, even among people with experience using opioids. High Alert urges extreme caution should you choose to take these tablets and testing is recommended to help minimise the risk. Find out more ⬇️⬇️
https://www.highalert.org.nz/alerts-and-notifications/fake-oxycodone-tablet-containing-potent-mix-detected-in-the-wellington-region/

Both benzodiazepines and opioids are depressant drugs and will have an additive effect when taken together. The combination of these substances increases risk of overdose as both cause sedation and suppress breathing, in addition to impairing cognitive functions. There is concern that as people are expecting oxycodone, they may be prepared for an opioid overdose, but they may not be able to manage the additional effects caused by the benzodiazepine.

If you choose to take a tablet you think may be this, remember:
> Avoid using alone. Have a friend who can help, and call an ambulance, if things go wrong.
> Lower dosages usually pose less risk. Start off with an extremely small amount to check how it affects you.
> Avoid combining with other substances, especially depressants like alcohol,GBL-type substances and ketamine as the combined sedative effect increases the risk of choking, overdose or losing consciousness.
> Have naloxone with you. High potency opioids like nitazenes may require more than one dose of naloxone. Note that naloxone will not reverse a benzodiazepine overdose so you will still need to get medical help.