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Sterile needles and syringes are available to injectors because they help prevent the spread of blood-borne viruses like hepatitis and HIV. But unsafe disposal of fits puts this service at risk because it can:
Never dispose of used injecting equipment ( this means needles and syringes, swabs,filters, mixing gear, etc.) in gutters, drains, toilets or anywhere else they could be found or accidentally prick someone. Never let anyone else use your fits after you. When you’ve had your hit, always dispose of used needles and syringes in a rigid-walled, puncture-resistant sealed container (preferably a properly labelled sharps container) immediately after use. If possible, return the container with any used equipment to your nearest Needle & Syringe Program (NSP) or sharps bin. Contact the Clean Needle Helpline on the number below, for other disposal options.
In Queensland, for further information on safe disposal of used sharps and the location of your nearest needle and syringe supplier call 1800 NEEDLE (1800 633 353).
Below is the information the briefing paper gives to pharmacists to support the text on the calendar card.
Less than 1% of used needles and syringes are discarded in public places. However, this small percentage of unsafely disposed sharps causes a lot of anxiety, both for the public, and those involved in NSPs. The disproportionate amount of press coverage given to unsafe disposal of used injecting equipment in public places, adds to this feeling of unease. There is no doubt that unsafe disposal of used sharps puts others at risk of needlestick injury, causes high levels of public concern and media sensation, further stigmatises IDUs, and sometimes threatens the existence of NSPs. However, it is important to remember that although distressing, needles and syringes left in public places do not pose a major infection risk. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, people are frightened of them (and therefore handle them carefully) and secondly, viral transmission from needle stick injuries is rare, especially when the blood has been exposed to the elements for any length of time. Promoting safe disposal of injecting equipment is also important because it reduces sharing of injecting equipment. Indeed, in terms of preventing infection, this is the main reason to encourage safe disposal. Key intervention points A relaxed conversational enquiry about how people dispose of their used sharps can lead to a constructive intervention reinforcing the key messages. The key points to get across are that it will help us ensure that there will always be needle and syringe provision if everyone:
If there are problems with public finds of injecting equipment in your area it can be useful to feed this back to those injectors you know well and ask them if they could have a word with their peers to see if the problem can be reduced. Further reading Australian National Council on Drugs. (2002). NSPs Position Paper. Canberra: ANCD. Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. (2002). Return on Investment in Needle & Syringe Programs in Australia. Canberra: CDHA.
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