Needle and Syringe Program

Confidential and non-judgemental access to safe injecting equipment, condoms, and lubricant

cohealth’s Needle and Syringe Program (NSP) is an important public health initiative that prevents the spread of bloodborne viruses like HIV and Hepatitis C and reduces the harms associated with injecting drug use.

Our NSP staff are able to provide confidential and non-judgemental access to:

• safe injecting equipment*
• condoms and lubricant
• education and information
• referral to treatment and welfare when appropriate

We can help with:

• disposal of used injecting equipment
• information on safer using and safer sex
• links to health and support services

What do I need to do?

Drop in to any of the cohealth NSP sites (see locations on this page) during open hours.

Go to one of the Syringe Dispensing Units (SDUs) which are located at our Braybrook, Collingwood, Fitzroy and Footscray (Health Works) sites. SDUs are available at times when the NSP is not staffed and dispense free packs of injecting equipment and disposal containers.

Contact our Innerspace Mobile NSP Outreach service on 0418 179 814 between 7:30pm – 10:45pm, Monday to Friday (except public holidays) to deliver and collect* injecting equipment if you cannot get to our sites during the day.  We can meet you anywhere a car can go – outside a house, shop or street corner. This service is free and discreet.

*Innerspace Mobile NSP Outreach service delivers and collects from the following suburbs: Abbotsford, Brunswick East (east of Nicholson Street), Burnley, Carlton & Carlton North, Clifton Hill, Collingwood, East Melbourne, Fairfield, Fitzroy & Fitzroy North, Hawthorn & Hawthorn East, Kew & Kew East, North Melbourne, Northcote (south of Separation Street), Parkville, Richmond, West Melbourne and Westgarth.

What will it cost me?

There is no charge for this service.

Further information about NSP

Vic Department of Health on NSP
Penington Institute

Within the City of Yarra, anyone who sees a discarded syringe in a street or park, or wants someone to pick up a syringe from their property, can request syringe management services through the Council by submitting a request online or by calling 9205 5555.