New needles plan

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG pharmacies are set to join Geelong Hospital in embracing a needle exchange program.
The free-syringes program could be soon available at pharmacies across the region for drug addicts to provide safe disposal of used needles.
Victorian Pharmacy Guild of Australia director Maurice Sheehan said the success of the guild’s methadone programs to ween junkies off heroin had prompted the move into pharmacies.
“Our intent is to purely encourage pharmacies,” Mr Sheehan said
“The program hasn’t started yet and there are no contracts or agreements signed. All I’m saying is we believe that it will be advantageous to talk with pharmacies.”
A security firm operator and Barwon Health fundraiser told the Independent earlier this month that Geelong Hospital planned to open a free needle exchange in its emergency department. Angelo Kakouros feared drug users holding needles would be “only a couple of metres away” from children in a play area off the emergency department.
But Barwon Health said the exchange would present “no risk” to children or other people in the department.
Mr Sheehan said the decision to implement a needle exchange program would be up to individual pharmacies, which would consider safety issues.
“Some pharmacies have had bad experiences and won’t want to participate but I still think a high number of them will.”
Mr Sheehan said a proposal could be formalised within four weeks after discussions with Department of Human Services.
Mr Sheehan said a needle exchange program at pharmacies would improve convenience for people in Geelong needing new needles.
“It’s not a matter that we’re looking to compete with hospitals in any way but it’s just that pharmacies are open mainly seven days a week for long hours,” he said.
Geelong district pharmacy guild representative Ken Gray expected pharmacists to welcome the needle exchange program.
“Anything that can reduce harm is a good thing,” he said.
Mr Gray said pharmacy exchanges would be safer and more hygienic than “sick packs” containing needles, which most pharmacists were already providing to customers.