Needle and Syringe Program (NSP)

Needle and Syringe Services are a public health measure to reduce the spread of blood borne viral infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C amongst injecting drug users and the wider community. They can provide a range of services that include:

Provision of injecting equipment;
Education and information on safe drug use;
Referral to drug treatment;
Legal and social support services;
Referral and information.

Equipment provided includes needles and syringes, swabs and sharp safes for the safe disposal of used injecting equipment. The aim of providing sterile injecting equipment is to prevent the shared use of injecting equipment, which can lead to the transmission of blood borne infections.

Staff of Needle and Syringe Programs also address the potential for transmission of infection via sexual contact by providing condoms and safe sex education. By engaging drug users into health services, those who continue to use drugs are likely to cause less harm to themselves and the wider community.

Choper - (after hours mobile needle & syringe service)

The Community Health Outreach Program Eastern Region (CHOPER), provides a free, outreach mobile Needle and Syringe Service. The CHOPER team can be called between 7.30pm to 11.00pm every night of the year and will deliver clean injecting equipment and receive return of used equipment. CHOPER also provides safe using and safe sex education, including free condoms. Referrals to other services such as drug treatment and health and welfare agencies are also available. The service covers a large area of the Eastern Region west of Lilydale and Belgrave.

Contact details are 0414 266 203 – between 7.30pm and 11.00pm every night of the year.

Mobile Drug Safety Service

This service operates across the Eastern Metropolitan Region. The aims are to:

Provide clean injecting equipment and accept returns of used equipment;
Educate injecting drug users about reducing the harm associated with their substance use;
Link injecting drug users with appropriate services in the region;
Facilitate peer education and support as appropriate; and
Work with other agencies to identify and respond to the needs of injecting drug users in the region and communicate with appropriate networks and authorities.

The Mobile Drug Safety Worker can be contacted by clients, service providers or general community members at the Box Hill office (Ground Floor, 43 Carrington Road), via reception on 9890 2220 or mobile on 0414 507 075.

Syringe Disposal Hotline

Whitehorse Community Health Service operates a syringe disposal hotline to respond to requests (within 24 hours) from the public in the event of discarded injecting equipment (including needles and syringes, swabs etc) being found on private property. To access this service phone 0414 507 075 and leave a message with a call back number so that collection can be arranged. For discarded injecting equipment found on public land phone your local Council during business hours to arrange collection.


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	Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) Needle and Syringe Services are a public health measure to reduce the spread of blood borne viral infections such as HIV and Hepatitis C amongst injecting drug users and the wider community. They can provide a range of services that include: Provision of injecting equipment; Education and information on safe drug use; Referral to drug treatment; Legal and social support services; Referral and information. Equipment provided includes needles and syringes, swabs and sharp safes for the safe disposal of used injecting equipment. The aim of providing sterile injecting equipment is to prevent the shared use of injecting equipment, which can lead to the transmission of blood borne infections. Staff of Needle and Syringe Programs also address the potential for transmission of infection via sexual contact by providing condoms and safe sex education. By engaging drug users into health services, those who continue to use drugs are likely to cause less harm to themselves and the wider community. Choper - (after hours mobile needle & syringe service) The Community Health Outreach Program Eastern Region (CHOPER), provides a free, outreach mobile Needle and Syringe Service. The CHOPER team can be called between 7.30pm to 11.00pm every night of the year and will deliver clean injecting equipment and receive return of used equipment. CHOPER also provides safe using and safe sex education, including free condoms. Referrals to other services such as drug treatment and health and welfare agencies are also available. The service covers a large area of the Eastern Region west of Lilydale and Belgrave. Contact details are 0414 266 203 – between 7.30pm and 11.00pm every night of the year. Mobile Drug Safety Service This service operates across the Eastern Metropolitan Region. The aims are to: Provide clean injecting equipment and accept returns of used equipment; Educate injecting drug users about reducing the harm associated with their substance use; Link injecting drug users with appropriate services in the region; Facilitate peer education and support as appropriate; and Work with other agencies to identify and respond to the needs of injecting drug users in the region and communicate with appropriate networks and authorities. The Mobile Drug Safety Worker can be contacted by clients, service providers or general community members at the Box Hill office (Ground Floor, 43 Carrington Road), via reception on 9890 2220 or mobile on 0414 507 075. Syringe Disposal Hotline Whitehorse Community Health Service operates a syringe disposal hotline to respond to requests (within 24 hours) from the public in the event of discarded injecting equipment (including needles and syringes, swabs etc) being found on private property. To access this service phone 0414 507 075 and leave a message with a call back number so that collection can be arranged. For discarded injecting equipment found on public land phone your local Council during business hours to arrange collection.
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