Syringe Disposal

• Collection of Discarded Syringes
• Handling Syringes
• Needle & Syringe Program
• Useful Links

Used syringes and needles stored or disposed of incorrectly have the potential to cause needle stick injuries, which may result in the transmission of blood-borne disease (such as HIV, Hepatitis B or Hepatitis C).

The practice of sharing needles can also result in the spread of blood-borne disease.

Due to legalities associated with drug use, many drug users inject in public areas.

Collection of Discarded Syringes

Permanently fixed sharps containers are located and maintained by Council at various public toilets throughout the municipality to promote safe disposal of used needles.

The Latrobe City Council has arrangements in place to collect and dispose of syringes found in public areas. The service operates by calling 1300 367 700 during office hours or 5128 5720 or 0408 512 953 after office hours. If you do not feel able to pick up syringes, call this service. Give the exact address of where the syringe is, and describe nearby landmarks such as a phone box, public toilets, etc. You should also leave your contact details in case the service needs to get further details from you.

Handling Syringes

Council recommends that used syringes are handled by professionals only. However, if you must handle one, please follow these instructions.

• If you can, use tongs or protect your hand with a heavy duty glove or cloth.
• Never touch the sharp end of the needle, only pick up the syringe by the barrel end.
• Do not try to replace the cap on the needle.
• Put the needle and syringe in a screw top, puncture proof, plastic container and seal it.
• Dispose of the sealed needle and syringe container at any of Council's Service Centres in Moe, Morwell or Traralgon during office hours.
• Tell children never to pick up needles or syringes, but to call an adult.
• Do not put needles and syringes down toilets and drains.

If you are a user of needles/syringes please remember:

• Never share syringes.
• Never reuse syringes.
• DO NOT break the needle off the syringe.
• Dispose of injecting equipment responsibly.

Needle and Syringe Programs

Local needle and syringe programs are coordinated by the following organisations:-

• Latrobe Regional Hospital www.lrh.com.au Telephone 5173 8000.
• Latrobe Community Health Service www.lchs.com.au Telephone 5136 5400.

- There are large capacity bright orange disposal bins located outside the entrance of each of the Latrobe Community Health Offices at:

42-44 Fowler Street Moe

81-85 Buckley Street Morwell

7-9 Seymour Street Traralgon

These disposal bins are accessible at all times and are capable of taking large capacity "needle and syringe" disposal containers.

- Latrobe Community Health Services employs Regional Mobile Drug Safety Workers whom are available for assistance, education and advice on any drug related issues. They can be contacted on the above telephone numbers during office hours.

Council provides a needle and syringe container exchange program. Used containers can be disposed of at any Council Service Centre during office hours. All returned sharps containers are replaced with a new container at a cost of $5 per container.

Other Useful Links

• Diabetes Australia - Victoria www.dav.org.au Telephone 1300 136 588