First point of contact

Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) are often the first point of contact between health services and people who inject drugs. NSP workers are able to provide education and information on healthcare issues and drug related harm. NSP workers can also facilitate entry into drug treatment and other health and welfare services.

The role of NSPs

NSPs offer much more than just providing injecting equipment. They can also provide additional equipment, education and referral services. In the past, NSPs have been accused of encouraging drug use and increasing the number of inappropriately discarded needles and syringes in public places. But research has shown that this is not the case.

A success story

NSPs have been one of the major public health success stories. Australian Governments invested $243 million in NSPs between 2000 and 2009. This resulted in the prevention of an estimated 32,050 cases of HIV and 96,667 cases of hepatitis C among injecting drug users. The savings to the health system in avoided treatment costs over a lifetime are estimated to be around $1.28 billion.

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