Nova Scotia’s Mainline Needle Exchange program is begging for more funding, saying it has already made cuts and it doesn’t know what else it can do. 

The program promotes health and helps drug users access clean supplies. Those involved in the program took to the streets of Halifax Friday to inform others about their bottom line.

“We have a trust with our clients so they trust us to be able to hook them up with other services and by us not being able to serve them, it leaves them at more risk for overdose, contracting HIV/AIDS, Hep C, among other things,” says Mainline community outreach worker Natasha Touesnard.

The needle exchange program hosted an open house Friday to raise awareness about the funding dilemma, saying it’s something everyone should care about.

“We’ve been running this organization on a shoestring since 1992,” says Mainline’s director, Diane Bailey.

Mainline received $400,000 in funding last year from the Department of Health and Wellness and the former district health authorities, but demand is increasing, and the program says it needs an extra $100,000 this year.

“We’re giving out more needles than we ever did,” says Bailey. “We’re probably going to be giving out a million needles this year.”

Mainline says it has already cut services, with staff visiting other parts of the province – such as Yarmouth, Pictou County and the Annapolis Valley – only half as much as they used to.

“We need for them to give us long-term sustainable funding, with an increase per year as our services dictate,” says Bailey.

The Health Authority says it isn’t aware of a request for additional funding, but Bailey says she began asking for more money in March.

Meanwhile, those who work at Mainline say the services provided through the program alleviate pressure on the health-care system.

“Everybody is somebody’s son or daughter and they all have loved ones and we all have to think about that and it shouldn’t have to affect you personally before you care,” says Touesnard.

Mainline says, if it doesn’t receive more funding for the difficult work it does, it will have to start making even more difficult decisions about where to cut next.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Kayla Hounsell