Harm Reduction Services

Barwon Needle Syringe Program Services

Barwon Health Drug and Alcohol Service

Mobile service 9am – 3.30pm, ph 1800 196 850

Barwon Health Drug and Alcohol Service also operate a mobile needle syringe service, staffed by experienced workers who are able to confidentially deliver injecting equipment, collect used equipment if in suitable containers (which can be provided) – and offer safer injecting advice and information.

126 Lt Malop Street no longer offer a NSP service. 

📍 Map of Syringe Disposal Locations

Community Needle Syringe Programs

Each of Barwon Health’s Community Health Centres operates a confidential, free, needle syringe program, stocking a wide range of injecting equipment and disposal chutes for used equipment.

Locations:

• Anglesea Community Health Centre, McMillan Street, Anglesea - 8.30am – 5pm Mon – Fri (map)
• Belmont Community Health Centre, 1- 17 Reynolds Road, Belmont - 8.30am – 5pm Mon – Fri (map)
• Corio Community Health Centre, 2 Gellibrand Street, Corio - 10.00am – 4pm Mon – Fri (map)
• Newcomb Community Health Centre, 104 – 108 Bellarine Hwy, Newcomb - 8.30am – 5pm Mon – Fri (map)
• Torquay Community Health Centre, 100 Surf Coast Hwy, Torquay - 8.30am - 5pm Mon - Fri (map)

📍 Map of Syringe Disposal Locations

Outside business hours

Syringe vending machines are located at:

• Alongside the Barwon Health Youang Surgery Centre in Ryrie Street, Geelong between Bellarine Street and Argyle Street
  Corio Community Health Centre, Gellibrand Street, Corio

These machines offer a range of injecting equipment are free of charge

📍 Map of Syringe Disposal Locations

The emergency department at University Hospital Geelong no longer offers a NSP service.

Medication Assisted Treatment of Opioid Dependency Support

What is pharmacotherapy?

Most commonly known as:

• Methadone
• Buprenorphine

‘Pharmacotherapy’ is the term used to describe the use of medication (such as methadone or buprenorphine) to assist in the treatment of opioid dependency. The Victorian pharmacotherapy system consists of community-based pharmacotherapy providers and specialist pharmacotherapy services. For example, a prescription for methadone may be prescribed by a general practitioner and this drug will be dispensed to the client by a trained pharmacist. 

About assessment

Assessments are offered on a walk-in basis, no need for an appointment. Assessments are conducted at Drugs and Alcohol Services, 126 Little Malop Street, Geelong. 

Please call 03 4215 8703 for more information.

Assessment is the entry point for all individuals seeking treatment for the first time or returning to treatment following a lengthy break/ gap in treatment. Assessments are conducted by the pharmacotherapy management worker. At completion of the assessment, will assist you to find the most suitable prescriber for your needs.

What you need to bring:

• Medicare card
• Healthcare card (if you have one )
• Pension card

Please allow at least one hour for the assessment to be completed.

What happens at the assessment?

• Information about your treatment options
• A comprehensive history including medical concerns and substance use history
• Assistance in finding a prescriber and chemist
• Pre and post-test counselling regarding blood-borne virus.

Take Home Naloxone

How to Access

There is no assessment process to access this program, please call 1800 196 850 to speak to one of our staff.

What is an overdose?

Overdose often happens accidentally. It happens when a toxic amount of a drug or combination of drugs overwhelms the body. People can overdose on many substances including alcohol, prescription drugs like diazepam, or opioids like heroin, methadone and OxyContin.

What happens when someone overdoses on opioids?

The brain has many receptors for opioids. When the level of opioids used sedates a person to the point that they are unresponsive, their breathing rate slows down and/or stops completely. This happens because opioids affect the respiratory part of the brain, causing breathing to slow down.

Overdose risk factors

The risk of an overdose is increased when:

• Someone first starts using opioids
• After taking a break from using opioids, such as prison, stays in detox/rehab
• Following completing any kind of drug withdrawal, including home withdrawal
• Switching opioids and not being aware of dose comparisons
• Using other substances at the same time, such as alcohol, diazepam
• Injecting drugs
• Not being in control of the injecting situation

Facts about opioid reversal

THERE IS TIME TO RESPOND – Overdoses can but do not always occur instantly. Promptly calling 000 and following an overdose protocol can save a person's life.

OFTEN PEOPLE ARE PRESENT - We know from research that approximately 70% of overdoses occur with someone else present.

NALOXONE IS EASY TO ADMINISTER – The medication, Naloxone Hydrochloride is used to temporarily reverse an overdose. It comes in a prefilled syringe and is simple to assemble and use.

NALOXONE DOES NOT INCREASE OPIOID USE – There is no evidence that shows that by having access to Naloxone increases the likelihood of a person using more opioids than if it was not available.

SAVING A LIFE OUTWEIGHS THE RISK OF UPSETTING PEOPLE

RECOGNISING THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF AN OPIOID OVERDOSE

Signs of an opioid overdose include:

• Fingernails and/or lips having a blueish tinge/colour
• Vomiting, or gurgling breath
• No response to stimulus, such a pain from rubbing the sternum
• Cannot be roused/awoken
• Breathing is very slow/shallow/irregular or noisy
• Deep snoring
• Change in colour of skin, in fairer skinned people blue, for darker skinned people greyish colour