Safe Syringe and Needle Disposal

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Safe Syringe and Needle Disposal

First Point of Call on Finding Discarded Needles/Syringes
Locations with Disposal Units
Container Availability
Steps to Follow on Finding Discarded Needles/Syringes
Existing Programs/Service Providers

First Point of Call on Finding Discarded Needles/Syringes

In public places: Please contact Monash Council on 9518 3690

In private properties: Please contact Eastern Region Syringe Disposal Hotline on 0414 507 075

Locations with Disposal Units

Monash Council:: Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley - 9518 3690; Oakleigh Service Centre, 3 Atherton Road, Oakleigh - 9518 3680; Monash public toilets
MonashLink Community Health Service:: 568 Neerim Road, Hughesdale - 9568 2599; www.monashlink.org.au
Monash University Pharmacy:: Student Campus Centre, Wellington Road, Clayton - 9905 3130

Container Availability

Syringe disposal containers are available from the Engineering Counter at the Civic Centre, the Oakleigh Service Centre and MonashLink Community Health Service.

The containers are free of charge to Monash residents.

Steps to Follow on Finding Discarded Needles/Syringes

Do not panic.
Do not touch the sharp point with your fingers or hands. Do not break the needle/syringe.
Either contact locations with disposal units (as listed above) or obtain a syringe disposal container.
If neither option is available, find a container with a well-secured lid. Rigid plastic containers are the best. Avoid using glass or aluminium cans.
It is recommended to use tongs to pick up needles/syringes, otherwise, pick up the needle/syringe by the barrel, then put needle in first into the container.
Do not re-cap the needle/syringe if the lid has fallen off.
Make sure the container is tightly sealed.

Outreach Needle and Syringe Program

This organisation is responsible for the provision of sterile injecting equipment, education and information on reducing harm associated with drug use, and referral to treatment services/medical care/social and legal services. It has two branches:

Community Health Outreach Program Eastern Region (CHOPER)
Mobile Health Outreach Service (MHOS)

CHOPER
CHOPER operates throughout the Eastern Metropolitan Region and covers most of Monash but does not cover the areas south of Wellington Road and the Princes Highway.

Service Hours: 7.30pm - 11.00pm
Phone Number: 0414 266 203

MHOS
This is an integrated community drug safety service run by a collaboration of the Inner South Community Health Service, Salvation Army Bridge Program and community drug and alcohol agencies. It operates throughout the Inner Southern Metropolitan Region. MHOS covers the Monash area south of Wellington Road and the Princes Highway.

Service Hours: 7.30pm - 11.00pm
Phone Number: 0419 204 811

DirectLine

DirectLine provides information and referral for alcohol and drug treatment and support services, substitution pharmacotherapy needle and syringe programs, disposal bin locations and HIV/AIDS counselling.

Phone Number: 1800 888 236
www.health.vic.gov.au/drugs/directline.htm

Turning Point

Turning Point is a specialist alcohol and drug organisation integrating treatment and support service delivery with research, education and training. In particular, it delivers the Direct Response Outreach Program (DROP), counselling, consultancy and continuing care, and a needle and syringe exchange program.

Phone Number: (03) 8413 8413
www.turningpoint.org.au

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Updated: 5 May 2008

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