General News
13 May, 2026
Be aware of, not fear needles
FINDING a used syringe on the ground, particularly in a park or area frequented by lots of people can be a frustrating and confronting experience.
It is important, however, to understand what to do when you find drug equipment, to reduce the chances of a needle stick injury and to learn more about what is happening to help reduce needle dependency in the community.
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service (CHHHS) operates Queensland’s needle and syringe program (NSP), a 40-year-old harm reduction initiative that is aimed at preventing the transmission of blood-borne viruses such as Hepatitis B, Hepatitis C, and HIV.
Brooke Durrington oversees the local arm of the program to reduce injection-related injuries and overdose deaths, as well as promotes safe disposal of injecting equipment, including support for individuals who inject drugs.
She also helps people who inject drugs connect to health and community services.
“In the Cairns and Hinterland region, people who inject illicit substances can access free sterile injecting equipment and harm reduction support through the Queensland needle and syringe program at Cairns Alcohol and Other Drugs Service on 8 Alpin Street or at YouthLink, 305 Severin St,” she said.
“Sterile injecting equipment and the needle and syringe program help are available 24/7 via the dispensing machines at Cairns Hospital on The Esplanade, Edmonton Community Health Centre on Robert Road Edmonton and Smithfield Community Health Centre on Danbulan St Smithfield.
“Other secondary sites are available at all our hospital and healthcare facility sites in Mossman, Atherton, Mareeba, Yarrabah, Babinda and Innisfail.”
The three most common drugs injected across Queensland include methamphetamines, opioids and performance and image enhancing drugs.
Ms Durrington said since the program’s creation in the 1980s, it had been proven a success in preventing the transmission of blood-borne viruses, reducing the risk of community exposure to sharps-related injuries and saving significant healthcare costs associated with providing care and treatment to those battling drug addiction.
While the NSP does work, some drug users do still discard their equipment in public places, such as parks, gutters and laneways.
“The program encourages the use of sharps containers for safe disposal and CHHHS provides sharps disposal bins at each of our hospitals, Cairns Sexual Health and community health sites in Smithfield, Gordonvale, Atherton and Edmonton for NSP consumers,” Ms Durrington said.
“Some pharmacies also provide safe disposal of needles.
“If you find a discarded needle you should contact your local council about getting it removed.
“Finding a used syringe can be concerning, but it’s important to stay calm, know the risk of harm is very low and follow safe disposal steps or contact your local council for assistance.”
If anyone encounters a used syringe and needs to dispose of it themselves, Ms Durrington encouraged the following steps:
Look around to ensure there are no additional needles.
Use a hard plastic container with a sealable lid to safely pick up and store the needle, such as a laundry detergent or fabric softener bottle.
Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the needle.
Contact your local council for disposal or contact the needle and syringe helpline via 1800 633 353 to find your nearest disposal point.
