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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 12 Hansard (20 November) . . Page.. 4472 ..

(2) The following numbers of needles and syringes were handed out by the needle and syringe program in Canberra in

(a) 2000-01 - 618,222

(b) 2001-02 - 509,031

(c) 2002-03 - 542,866.

(3) The following table summarises the barrel capacity and needle gauge of needles and syringes distributed between 2000-01 and 2002-03;

Year

Barrels

Needles

Tips

3ml

5ml

10ml

20ml

27g

29g

27g

25g

23g

21g

19g

1ml barrel

1 ml barrel

2000-2001

11,788

2,588

5,059

2,205

550,545

6,388

3,587

1,184

7,807

2,534

8,638

2001-2002

12,183

4,761

6,922

4,745

421,896

2,496

7,445

19,471

7,890

3,164

7,940

2002-2003

10,760

4,088

6,911

6,037

458,674

9,011

3,987

1,415

6,784

4,294

7,069

(4) The following table summarises the cost of needles and syringes distributed through the needle and syringe program between 2000-01 and 2002-03.

Year

Cost

2000-2001

$ 79,061.05

2001-2002

$62,573.01

2002-2003

$105,827.30

The total costs of running the needle and syringe program, including wages, rental and administration are summarises in the following table.

Year

NSP

Pharmacy Program

2000-2001

$514,502.00

$86,638.00

2001-2002

$571,348.00

$103,180.00

2002-2003

$621,663.95

$119,103.71

(5) Retractable needles have never been issued as part of the needle exchange program;

(6) See (5) and (7) - it is unknown what the average price of a retractable needle is. At this time the technology is yet to be piloted within Australia in relation to Needle and Syringe Programs. Currently there is an ACT based company that is able to supply retractable syringes, but it is important to note that this type do not automatically retract after they have been used. The Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing will be assessing the suitability and acceptability of retractable needle and syringe technology through pilot studies of the technology. These studies will operate under the Retractable Needle and Syringe Technology Initiative. Pilots will commence in late 2003/early 2004 through participating Needle and Syringe Programs (NSPs) (with injecting illicit drug users). The ACT has offered its support in participating in these pilots.

(7) See (6). The ACT will consider the possible role of retractable needle and syringe technology in needle and syringe programs when the results of the pilot studies are available;

(8) DIRECTIONS ACT is contracted to supply needle and syringe program services in Canberra;

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