You are hereNeedle and Syringe Program (NSP)
Needle and Syringe Program (NSP)
Needle and Syringe Programs are a public health measure to reduce the spread of blood-borne viral infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C amongst injecting drug users and the wider community. Ranges Community Health participates in this service through:
- The provision of injecting equipment
- Information materials on safer drug use
- Referral and information about other health and support services
- Safe disposal of used equipment
Equipment provided includes needles, syringes, swabs, and sharps containers and returns bins for the safe disposal of used injecting equipment. The aim of providing sterile injecting equipment is to prevent the shared use of injecting equipment which can lead to the transmission of blood-borne infections.
As blood-borne viruses can potentially be transmitted via sexual contact, and HIV is also a sexually transmitted virus, condoms are also provided through this service.
Hours of operation for NSP:
Lilydale office: 8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday
Belgrave office 9 am to 4pm Tuesday to Thursday
Where to get further assistance
After-hours needle and syringe service:
CHOPER
The Community Health Outreach Program Eastern Region (CHOPER) provides a free, mobile outreach, Needle and Syringe Program. The CHOPER team can be called between 7.30pm to 11.30pm every night of the year and will deliver clean injecting equipment and receive returns of used equipment. CHOPER also provides safe using and safe sex education including free condoms. Referrals to other services such as drug treatment and health and welfare agencies are also available. The service covers a large area of the eastern region west of Lilydale and Belgrave.
To contact CHOPER between 7.30pm and 11.30 pm call 0414 266 203
Mobile Drug Safety Service
This service operates across the Eastern Metropolitan region. The aims are to:
- Provide clean injecting equipment and accept returns of used equipment.
- Educate injecting drug users about reducing the harm associated with their substance use.
- Link injecting drug users with appropriate services in the region
- Facilitate peer education and support as appropriate; and
- Work with other agencies to identify and respond to the needs of injecting drug users in the region and communicate with appropriate networks and authorities.
The Mobile Drug Safety Worker can be contacted by clients, service providers or community members at the Whitehorse Community Health Service, Ground floor, 43 Carrington Road, Box Hill on 9890 2220 or by mobile on 0430 524 749.