Queensland Needle and Syringe Program

About NSPs

NSPs aim to reduce the incidence of blood-borne viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C, and injecting-related injuries and diseases for people who inject drugs by:

• providing sterile injecting equipment
• facilitating the safe disposal of used injecting equipment
• improving access and referrals to health, treatment and support services.

24/7 free and confidential telephone counselling, information, referral and support for alcohol and/or other drug use is available at ADIS on 1800 177 833. ADIS can also provide information on how to access sterile needles and syringes and where to dispose of them safely.

The Communicable Diseases Branch within Queensland Health is responsible for providing equipment and managing policies and programs for all NSPs in Queensland. The QNSP can be contacted on qnsp@health.qld.gov.au.

NSPs operate throughout Queensland, and through different sites, including:

• Primary NSPs
• Secondary NSPs
• Community pharmacies
• Needle dispensing machines (also known as vending machines)
• Outreach.

Sterile injecting equipment can only be given by authorised NSPs. Find a primary or secondary NSP near you using the postcode or suburb finder below.

Pharmacy NSP locations

Sterile injecting equipment is also available at some community pharmacies. Visit The Pharmacy Guild of Australia Queensland branch webpage for a list of participating pharmacies or the Queensland Needle & Syringe Program app, which is available to download for free from Google Play or Apple Store.

Equipment available through NSPs

Equipment supply and disposal information

Needle and syringe equipment supply

Needle and syringe programs (NSPs) supply sterile injecting equipment for the people who inject drugs to reduce the incidence of blood-borne viruses such as HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

NSPs are not funded to supply equipment used for injecting medical, cosmetic or therapeutic substances. Individuals who require injecting equipment for these purposes should be directed to the relevant services for appropriate provision e.g. prescribing clinician or pharmacy etc. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Health condition medication (e.g. IVF and diabetes medications)
• Cosmetic injectables (e.g. Botox, dermal fillers, collagen)
• Other prescribed or non-prescribed medical, cosmetic or therapeutic substances.

Needle and syringe equipment disposal

All sharps must be disposed of in an appropriate sharps disposal container.

All sterile injecting equipment supplied by NSPs includes a disposal container. Used equipment obtained from an NSP can be returned in the provided container to any NSP for safe disposal. All NSPs have disposal facilities for used NSP equipment, either within the service itself or, in hospital-based NSPs, usually near the main entrance of the emergency department.

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia (Queensland Branch) are funded to provide disposal facilities in some community pharmacies, exclusively for disposal of used NSP equipment. See The Pharmacy Needle and Syringe Program (PNSP).

NSPs are not funded to supply disposal containers or dispose of equipment  used for commercial purposes for businesses who provide injecting medical. cosmetic or therapeutic substances.

Where to find disposal equipment - non-NSP sharps

Individuals requiring disposal containers for injecting equipment used for injecting medical, cosmetic or therapeutic substances should contact their medical prescriber, treating clinician or purchase them from a pharmacy or medical supplier.

If you are living with diabetes, see Safe Disposal of Sharps from Diabetes Australia

How to dispose of non-NSP equipment

Household rubbish bin: In some council areas in Queensland, used sharps can legally be placed in a household rubbish bin (i.e. general wheelie bin), if they are sealed inside an appropriate disposal container. This is outlined on page 19 in the Queensland Government's Clinical and Related Waste Guideline. Suitable containers must be rigid-walled, puncture resistant plastic with a secure top lid (e.g. shampoo or washing liquid containers). Do not use glass, as it can break and cause injury. Check with your local council before placing used sharps in a household rubbish bin.

Council: Some councils may accept sharps at waste transfer stations. Check with your local council.

Businesses and commercial services - where to dispose of sharps

If a service or business, such as a cosmetic injectable clinic or massage clinic is a generator of sharps, they must have an arrangement with a commercial waste service provider to dispose of their sharps appropriately.

Training and resources

All NSP staff are required to be trained prior to undertaking NSP service provision. The online induction training provides an introduction to the principles underpinning an NSP. Training is available at Insight.

The Queensland Needle and Syringe Program Guidelines provide guidance for staff undertaking NSP service provision.

Queensland Minimum Data Set for NSPs

The Queensland Minimum Data Set (QMDS) for NSPs is a state-wide standardised data collection system that provides core data about program activities for all primary NSPs and some secondary NSPs.

The data forms part of the Kirby Institute’s Needle Syringe Program National Minimum Data Collection National Data Report, which is published each year.

Reports contain descriptive (i.e. deidentified) data only on client demographics, drug reporting patterns, interventions and referrals collected on every occasion of service. No statistical analysis is undertaken.