Needle and Syringe Program

The NSW Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) is an evidence based public health program that aims to protect the community from the spread of infections such as of HIV and Hepatitis C. Commencing in 1986 in Sydney, NSPs provide people who inject drugs with free and confidential access to new injecting equipment in order to prevent the sharing of equipment.

An independent report commissioned by the Australian Government found that between 2000 to 2009, Needle and Syringe Programs averted 32,050 cases of HIV, 96,667 cases of Hepatitis C and generated a long term cost savings of 1.28 billion.

New injecting equipments are distributed via primary NSPs, secondary NSPs, vending machines and selected chemists throughout NSW.

Click here for a list of NSP services in North Coast of NSW.

For more information call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service on 1800 422 599

If you have found inappropriately discarded needles and syringes, please call the Needle Clean-up Hotline on 1800 633 353

Click here for relevant documents, factsheets and websites about Needle Syringe Program.