Needles and syringes

Needle and syringe programs (NSP) are a public health measure, consistent with the National Drug Strategy’s harm minimisation framework, to reduce infections and transmission of blood borne virus such as HIV and hepatitis C among injecting drug users.

Our NSP’s are located at Biala, Caboolture Community Health and Redcliffe Community Health Centre, and provide a range of services for people who inject drugs:

• sterile injecting equipment
• education on reducing drug use
• health information and safer injecting advice
• referral to treatment, medical care and legal and social services
• overdose prevention training and access to take-home naloxone.

The injecting equipment provided includes needles and syringes, swabs and ‘sharps bins’ for the safe disposal of used needles and syringes. Sterile water and wheel filters are also available for a small fee.

Needle and syringe programs do not supply drugs or allow people to inject drugs on the premises.

A large sharps bin is also located at each NSP to allow for the safe return and disposal of used injecting equipment.

Vending machines

Syringe vending machines which dispense packs for free, or a small fee, are also located at a number of venues. These 24/7 machines that provide sterile needles and syringes are located outside hospitals, community or sexual health centres and alcohol and drug services.