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The Law
In Australia it is not an offence to possess sterile needles and syringes. However it is an offence to dispose of injecting equipment in an unsafe manner.
What is Safe Disposal?
This means used needles and syringes should be placed immediately after use in a properly sealed, rigid walled, puncture proof container and disposed of in a wheelie bin or preferably your nearest public sharps disposal bin.
Queensland Health's Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) provide free disposal containers and sterile needles and syringes to people who require injecting equipment.
To find out where your nearest NSP is situated call your local Community Health Centre or the Queensland Clean Needle Helpline (1800 633 353).
Unsafe Disposal and Community Concerns
Most needles and syringes are disposed of safely and appropriately. However there are some occasions when they are not and these occasions continue to cause public concern. Queensland Health has a commitment to public safety and promotes the safe disposal of needles and syringes.
There have been no documented accounts, worldwide, of any person acquiring Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV from a needle stick injury sustained in a communal or public setting.
The Queensland Clean Needle Helpline
The Queensland Clean Needle Helpline (1800 NEEDLE / 1800 633 353) is available to access information regarding needlestick injury, report incidents of unsafely discarded needles and syringes and to find out where and how used sharps can be safely disposed of. This service is available 24 hours, seven days a week, and is run by the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS).
Needle Stick Injury
If you sustain a needle stick injury:
As soon as possible contact one of the following for advice on the need for HIV or Hepatitis B/C testing, counselling and possible hepatitis and tetanus inoculation.
Call the Queensland Clean Needle Hotline, 1800 633 353 for information and to report needle stick injuries.
There have been no documented accounts, worldwide, of any person acquiring Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C or HIV from a needle stick injury sustained in a communal or public setting.
Sharps Disposal in Clinical or Medical Settings
Follow procedures in accordance with Infection Control Guidelines 2001 and Environmental Protection Waste Management Policy 2000. If not in your clinical area, click here for a copy of the Infection Control Guidelines.
A copy of the Environmental Protection Waste Management Policy 2000 is available from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel website and has all the sections of relevance with regards to clinical waste.
For more information contact your local Council (Environmental Health Unit), Queensland Health Public Hospitals or the Environmental Protection Agency.
Further Information on Disposal
The Queensland Clean Needle Helpline (1800 NEEDLE /1800 633 353) is available to access information regarding needle stick injury, report incidents of unsafely discarded needles and syringes and to find out where and how used sharps can be safely disposed of. This service is available 24 hours, seven days a week, and is run by the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS).
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