Australian Brochures Advise on Disposal of Needles

Chief Minister Jon Stanhope on Thursday introduced three brochures on the safe disposal of injecting equipment. "Australia can boast one of the lowest infection rates for HIV and other blood-borne viruses -- an outcome that is directly attributable to the success of needle and syringe exchange programs," he said. Developed by the Sharps Steering Committee, the brochures target illicit drug users, legitimate syringe users and the public. Stanhope said the Australian Capital Territory has one of the highest return rates for needles and syringes in Australia, and needle disposal in public places has dropped in the past 12 months. "The recovery rate is now between 85 and 90 percent, and all our public toilets have been fitted with disposal chutes," he said.

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