Primary outlets

• stand-alone agencies specifically established to provide the full range of NSP services including dispensing of sterile injecting equipment and collecting used needles and syringes
• can also offer primary medical care and education as well as counselling and referral services

Secondary outlets (e.g. ACON)

• offer needle and syringe distribution and disposal as part of a range of other health or community services
• may also provide additional equipment, education and referral services
• typical secondary outlets include hospital emergency departments and community health centres

Mobile and outreach services

• visit hard to reach people who inject drugs but are unable or unwilling to attend other outlets
• may offer after hours and mobile service

The benefits of NSPs are maximised if isolated, disadvantaged and vulnerable groups of injecting drug users are also provided with NSP services.

Pharmacy needle and syringe programs

Many pharmacies across Australia provide sterile injecting equipment, needle and syringe disposal services, health information and sometimes referral services. Some pharmacy NSPs operate on a commercial basis and others are supported by government schemes.

Syringe vending machines

• dispense needle and syringe packs for a small fee
• known as Fitpacks™ in most states and territories
• Fitpacks are sturdy plastic containers that contain sterile needles and syringes and other injecting equipment 
• also double as disposal containers
• usually operate 24 hours and provide sterile needles and syringes to injecting drug users who do not wish to access face to face NSPs
• usually located outside hospitals, community or sexual health centres and alcohol and drug services

More info

Contact: ACON Needle + Syringe Program

Tel: (02) 9206 2052
Free Call: 1800 063 060
Hearing Impaired: (02) 9283 2088

Email: aod@acon.org.au