Palm Beach Needle and Syringe Program

The Queensland Needle and Syringe Program (QNSP) room inside the Palm Beach community health centre is not left unattended, Health Minister Stephen Robertson said.

Mr Robertson said a container of sterilised needle kits was positioned on the door of the room inside the community health centre for four hours on 2 July 2007.

“This was an isolated one-off event while a QNSP welfare officer attended a training course at the Gold Coast Hospital.

“I have been assured that it has not happened again.

“The welfare officer recorded the number of packs so he could record the number of kits accessed during the day.

“The QNSP room was at all times in view of other community health centre staff, one of whom is a trained welfare officer.

“Security staff also provided additional coverage to supervise the area.

Mr Robertson said Queensland Health recognises further improvements can be made to this new service at Palm Beach.

“Needles and syringes are no longer available when the QNSP welfare officer is not there or the QNSP room is closed outside business hours 8.30am - 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

“There is a large sharps disposal bin outside the Palm Beach Community Health Centre adjacent to the driveway for the safe disposal of used needles and syringes.

“This is a secured bin so persons cannot access the needles or syringes once they have been placed in the bin,” he said.

Mr Robertson said a Federal Government report into the National Needle and Syringe Program states:

“Numerous studies have found no evidence that Needle and Syringe Programs increase the number of used needles and syringes discarded in public areas.”

The Queensland Needle and Syringe Program has been operating for 20 years and provides services at 200 community health centres and hospitals throughout the state

Staff provide sterile injecting equipment, education and information on reducing drug use, safe disposal of used syringes, plus referral to counselling, drug treatment, medical care and legal and social services.

MEDIA PAUL LYNCH 3234 1190