Needle and Syringe Program

Key messages

The Victorian Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) aims to minimise the spread of blood-borne viruses among injecting people who use drugs and onto the wider community.
Sharing a used needle or other injecting equipment is one of the most effective means of transmitting bloodborne viruses.

About the Needle and Syringe Program

The Victorian Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) is a public health initiative that aims to minimise the spread of blood-borne viruses such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and hepatitis B and C among people who inject drugs and into the wider community.

The program began in 1987 and operates through a range of different service providers, including:

funded NSPs whose primary function is to provide a full suite of NSP services, including harm reduction information, advice and referrals
community health services
hospital accident and emergency units
municipal councils
drug treatment agencies
youth organisations
participating pharmacies.

For information on the safe retrieval and disposal of needles and syringes, and contact details of NSP providers, call 1300 365 482.

Approved NSP providers can now supply free naloxone to consumers, their families, carers and supporters through Victoria’s Take Home Naloxone program.

Purpose of the Needle and Syringe Program

Sharing a used needle or other injecting equipment is one of the most common ways of transmitting blood-borne viruses such as HIV and hepatitis B and C.

In Australia, NSPs have prevented thousands of cases of infection among people who inject drugs and, in turn, protected the wider community.