Needle and syringe programs (NSPs) are a public health measure that aim to reduce the transmission of HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C by providing sterile injecting equipment to injecting drug users.
Consumer information on HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C is available from Healthy WA.
NSPs can also provide:
- health and safer injecting information
- referrals to drug treatment, blood-borne virus testing and treatment
- referrals to legal and social services.
To operate an NSP, government and non-government organisations require an NSP approval under the Medicines and Poisons Act 2014 (external site) and the Medicines and Poisons Regulations 2016 (external site)
NSP operational and administrative information is available here:
Needle and syringe program e-newsletter – NSP News
The Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program (SHBBVP) produces a bi-annual e-newsletter aimed at educating and updating the needle and syringe program workforce across WA. To subscribe and receive future editions, please email the Needle and Syringe Program with the heading "SUBSCRIBE". For previous editions, please contact the SHBBVP team at Needle and Syringe Program.
NSP resources
More information
For more information contact:
Needle and syringe program (NSP)
Sexual Health and Blood-borne Virus Program
Department of Health, Western Australia
PO Box 8172
PERTH BUSINESS CENTRE WA 6849
Phone: 9222 2355
Email: NSP@health.wa.gov.au
Last reviewed: 03-04-2023
Produced by
Public Health