Needle and Syringe Program: Primary
Primary Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) provide an extended range of sterile injecting equipment and safe disposal facilities for used equipment. NSPs also provide information and education on harm minimisation including crisis support, brief interventions and referrals to health and social services.
Operating hours
Wait time
No or N/A (typically no waiting times)After hours support
NoDescription
Directions Health Services operate two primary Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs). Both services are open on weekdays from 9 am – 1 pm and 1:30pm – 5:00pm, with the Canberra City service operating until 6:00 pm on Wednesdays. Both services can be open for a limited time on public holidays. Opening times for public holidays are available the events calendar. Appointments are not necessary. Service details as follows:
City Health Centre
Outside the ground floor entrance, to the right of the main door
Corner of Alinga and Moore Streets, Canberra City.
Phone: (02) 6143 5800
Phillip Health Centre
At the back of the building, opposite Lovett (formerly MLC) Tower
Corner of Keltie and Corinna Streets, Woden.
Phone: (02) 6132 4900
Visit Directions Health Services for further information about Directions primary Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs).
NSPs primarily provide sterile injecting equipment to people who inject drugs. The programs are a public health initiative aimed at reducing the spread of blood borne viruses (BBV) and reducing the physical harms associated with injecting. Directions Health Services manage the ACT Needle and Syringe Program.
Age range eligibility
Under 1818-25 year old
26 +
Documentation
No referral required (i.e., can self-refer)Medication/Intoxication exclusions
No exclusions, i.e. the a low threshold service able to see people whether they have used drugs or not, people can attend whilst on medication or going through withdrawal or while Opioid Management TherapyOther exclusions
N/AUse of drug testing
Drug testing not used or not applicableTreatment type
Needle and syringe programHarm reduction initiatives
Provides alcohol tobacco or other drug education sessions (e.g., harm reduction strategies, safer injecting information)Provide sterile injecting equipment
Treatment duration
N/ATreatment goal
Harm reductionDelivery mode
Drop in, no appointment requiredACT and NSW residents
Accepts ACT residentsAccepts NSW residents
Cultural, diversity and vulnerable group capabilities
Aboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderDisability access
Accessible doorwaysPhones permitted
Contact the service for more informationSmoking permitted
NoAdditional program description
Directions Health Services primary NSPs provide an extended range of sterile injecting equipment (see table below) and other services to people who inject drugs including information and education, crisis support, brief interventions and referrals to health and social services. A crisis support worker is available 9am – 5pm, Monday to Friday at the Civic NSP outlet to provide support regarding housing, legal, treatment and other issues. NSP raining for health workers and harm reduction advice is also available. A Practice Nurse from Directions Health is available weekly at NSP Civic to provide free health checks and referrals.
Needle and Syringe – Collection and Disposal
Collection
If you find a needle or syringe (also called a sharp) in a public place or on your private property, do NOT attempt to move it yourself. Do not touch it and, if possible, stand guard, or mark the area with a hazard sign, particularly if there are children around. Immediately call Access Canberra Contact Centre on 13 22 81 (pressing #1) to provide accurate information on the location of the item. A City Ranger from ACT Government Territory and Municipal Services will come and pick it up as soon as possible.
Disposal
Transport Canberra and City Services provide sharps disposal containers in all public toilets in urban open space. Sharps containers containing used syringes can be dropped off at the following locations:
Via primary Needle and Syringe Programs
City Health Centre outside the ground floor entrance, to the right of the main door – Corner of Alinga and Moore Streets, Canberra City. Phone: (02) 6143 5800
Phillip Health Centre at the back of the building, opposite Lovett (formerly MLC) Tower – Corner of Keltie and Corinna Streets, Woden. Phone: (02) 6132 4900
Via Emergency Disposal (domestic only) through recycling and waste facilities
- City Health Centre– Cnr Alinga and Moore Streets, Canberra City
- Phillip Health Centre– Cnr Keltie and Corinna Streets, Woden
- Mitchell recycling drop-off centre – Baillieu Court, Mitchell
- Belconnen recycling drop-off centre – Jolly Street, Belconnen
- Phillip recycling drop-off centre – Botany Court, Phillip
- Mugga Lane Resource Management Centre – Mugga Lane, Symonston
- Mitchell Resource Management Centre – Flemington Road, Mitchell
Click here for further information relating to the collection and disposal of needle and syringes in the ACT.
Source: Access Canberra, 2017, Needle and syringe collection and disposal, ACT Government
Contact us on social media: @DirectionsAOD on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Additional program services or support
Hepatitis screening/treatment/vaccinations availableSTI screening/treatment/vaccinations available
Organisation website provides details and more information
Other program services or supports: - Provides safe sex information
Other program services or supports: - Provides condoms
Other program services or supports: - Active referrals and support to access other services
Other program services or supports: - Provides sterile injecting equipment
Other program services or supports: - Provides opioid overdose education sessions: one on one
Other program services or supports: - Relationships with Mental Health ACT
Other program services or supports: - Staff have mental health training
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