NHS Tayside has handed out 862,562 needles to addicts over two years through its needle exchange programme.
Around 452,000 needles were handed out during 2014/15, an increase on the previous year, where 410,557 were handed out to drug users.
Reacting to the figures, Dave Barrie of the drugs charity Dundee Addaction said it was important to be aware of why the needle exchange exists.
He said: “If you are to look at the figures some people would probably think it is quite a scary number.
“But throughout the UK and the world, needle exchange has been well evidenced to have a positive impact of those involved in the programme.
“The number of needles is really irrelevant because it is important to note that the health of the people involved in the programme is greatly improved as a result.”
Since 2012, fewer than five cases of HIV were contracted through drug injection in the NHS Tayside area and there have been no cases since the 2012/13 financial year.
Mr Barrie added that people who take substances with short term effects, such as heroin, could be injecting several times a day.
He said: “The equipment given out by the needle exchange programme is designed to be used once.
“Some people can be injecting three or four times a day.
“If you are in a relationship with someone else who is injecting, you may need as many as 10 needles a day, which is 70 a week.
“So, you can see how quickly it can add up.”
Mr Barrie said the needles come as part of a package with information designed to help the user and the general public.
He said: “A lot of information is offered — screening for blood borne viruses, advice on stopping and advice on injecting safely.
“Needle exchange also reduces the number of discarded needles you would find without the programme, as most return their needles, which are incinerated.”
The annual number of needles distributed by NHS Tayside, is less than half that of NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, which saw 1.2 million needles handed out in 2014/15.
In 2012/13, 505,045 needles were distributed by NHS Tayside.