Syringe Disposal Bins: The Outcomes of a Free Trial for City Traders in an Inner-City Municipality Australia

Abstract

Community responses toward discarded syringes have the potential to threaten the sustainability of harm reduction interventions. Many retailers in the central business district of Melbourne, Australia, have expressed concern about drug use and the associated discarded syringes. The Melbourne City Council has responded to these concerns through a variety of strategies. One such strategy was a 6-month free trial of syringe bins for businesses (2003–2004). The MCC commissioned an external evaluation of the trial. Eighteen business representatives and six key informants undertook semistructured interviews to monitor issues arising throughout the trial. Syringe disposal bins are a useful option for facilitating appropriate syringe disposal; 11 of the 13 businesses that participated in the trial continued with the maintenance of the syringe disposal bins beyond the free trial period.

Keywords:

• harm reduction
• needle and syringe programs
• syringe disposal
• local government
• blood-borne virus

Notes

Notes

1. Turning Point conducts practical, applied research leading to policy and service development. Their focus is on improving and expanding the range and quality of treatment and support services through evidence-based research.

2. City of Melbourne residents and traders can receive assistance with safe syringe disposal on private property. Syringe disposal containers can be delivered to and collected from a home or business premises. Community development workers are also available to demonstrate safe handling and answer questions.

3. The Melbourne City Council produced strategy and design guidelines for toilet management. The Toilet Management Seminar was organized to inform local traders of these guidelines.

4. The aim of businesses who install blue lights in public toilets is to deter drug users from public toilets as blue lights make it more difficult to locate veins, so injecting becomes arduous.

5. A foot patrol outreach worker works for an off-site needle syringe program. They provide needle availability and disposal services to injecting drug users and an information and referral service for injecting drug users and the wider community.