Drug Safety
Nationally, there has been a significant shift in local government responses to drug issues. Until recently, relatively few local governments saw themselves as playing a direct role in identifying and addressing drug issues.
In the late 1990s, Australia experienced a rapid escalation of drug overdoses and discarded syringes associated with heroin use, as well as considerable community concern corresponding with high profile political and media debates. As a result, many local governments became actively involved in these debates.
Local Government has a specific and unique role in relation to addressing drug related impacts. These impacts are experienced to some degree by all members of our City community. The role of Local Government is complementary to health and law enforcement roles. Local Government not only bears the impacts, but is ideally located to respond directly to these impacts, as well as advocating for a response from other levels of government.
The City of Sydney has some of the largest illicit drug markets nationally and the only Medically Supervised Injecting Centre in Australia. The City of Sydney is unique amongst other capital city councils in this regard.
Harm Minimisation
The City of Sydney is committed to responding to drug related issues in order to improve safety for city residents, businesses and visitors, as well as for those who use drugs.
The City of Sydney supports an approach to drug use that is based on the principle of harm minimisation. This approach recognises that while abstinence from illegal drug use is the most desirable option, this may not be realistic. Therefore, where possible, the harms associated with illegal drug use and its impacts should be minimised.
Involvement in crime compounds the harm already caused by illicit drug use. The City believes that initiatives to address illicit drug use should facilitate partnerships between government, business, community groups and NSW Police, and should be aimed at reducing drug related harms for City users.
The City of Sydney supports efforts which seek to provide addicts with health and rehabilitative services and ongoing support that assists in diverting them from the crime cycle.
If you, or someone you know, need help or advice managing a drug or alcohol concern, call the Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) on 9361 8000. ADIS provides a 7 day, 24 hour confidential telephone information, advice and counselling service for people with problems related to drugs and alcohol.
Drug and Alcohol Strategy 2007-2010
To respond to the impacts of illicit drug use, the City has prepared a Drug and Alcohol Strategy which outlines the unique role of local government in responding to these harms, and how we can work with our key partners.
The Drug and Alcohol Strategy aims to:
- Reduce drug and alcohol-related crime and anti-social behaviour.
- Minimise the negative impacts of drug and alcohol use in the public domain.
- Reduce negative impacts from licensed premises (especially in areas with high densities).
- Reduce drug and alcohol related harm amongst priority populations –
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, young people, people in the Gay
Lesbian Bisexual Transgender (GLBT) communities and people who are homeless. - Improve access by the City community to information on drug and alcohol
related harms, and how they can respond to these harms. - Advocate to other levels of government for enhanced responses to alcohol
and drug related impacts (on people and places) where appropriate. - Reduce drug and alcohol related accidents and injuries.
Download
- Drug & Alcohol Strategy 2007-2010 | PDF 188Kb
Syringe Management
The City of Sydney is committed to maintaining a safe and clean city for the whole community. We are dedicated to providing a range of options for appropriate disposal for all community members who generate sharps.
Currently the City of Sydney:
- manages 65 community sharps bins in locations throughout the Local Government Area.
- provides needle clean-up as part of its cleansing program
- participates in Community Drug Action Teams in the Local Government Area.
The City of Sydney larger community sharps bins are clearly identified with a sticker, which also gives information on who to call in the event a discarded syringe should be found.
Needle Clean Up Hotline
Who to call if you find a discarded needle or syringe:
- 1800 633 353
- 1800 NEEDLE
Syringe Management Plan 2005-2010
The City of Sydney’s Syringe Management Plan 2005-2010 documents key strategies to tackle and reduce the number of syringes inappropriately discarded throughout the LGA.
The Plan demonstrates the City of Sydney’s commitment to public health, harm reduction and the improvement of safety and cleanliness of the public domain for the entire community - residents, visitors and workers alike.
You can download the Syringe Management Plan as one large PDF document below.
Download
- Syringe Management Plan 2005-2010 | PDF 70Kb
Be smart with your sharps
Many people rely on using needles, syringes and lancets to maintain their own health or that of a family member.
FREE Community Sharps Disposal facilities are available at the following pharmacies and Diabetes Australia Store:
Diabetes Australia NSW
26 Arundel Street Glebe
Fresh Therapeutics Broadway
M102 Level One Broadway Shopping Centre Ultimo
Carillon Medical Centre Pharmacy
100 Carillon Avenue Newtown
Bob’s Chemist Newtown
304-306 King Street Newtown
Sharpes Pharmacy Darlinghurst
12-14 Flinders Street Darlinghurst
Gold Cross Pharmacy Redfern
118 Redfern Street Redfern
Information on health, safer drug use and safe disposal
Redfern Harm Minimisation Program
Tel: 02 9395 0400
Kirketon Road Centre
Tel: 02 9360 2766
Sydney Local Health District
Sydney Local Health District looks after all public hospitals and healthcare facilities in central Sydney metropolitan area.
Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/sydlhd
South Eastern Sydney Local Health District
Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/seslhd
Your Health Service
Public hospitals in your Local Health District are listed on the Your Health Service website.
Website: www.health.nsw.gov.au/hospitals/search.asp
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