Your questions and concerns answered

Why are you putting an automatic dispensing machine in Redfern? You’re singling us out

Redfern is not being singled out. There are already about 150 ADMs in use across NSW.  

Redfern has one of the highest rates of HIV and hepatitis C in Australia, due to high levels of injecting drug activity. HIV rates among injecting drugs users in the area are three times the national rate, and hepatitis C rates are 10 per cent higher than anywhere else in Australia.

That’s the old Redfern. It’s different now

Considerable work has gone into improving the amenity of Redfern in the past decade, including dismantling The Block, but drug activity and HIV and hepatitis C infection rates among injecting drug users have not decreased in line with that.

Clean needles are already available in Redfern Street. Why do we need an ADM?

Clean syringes are available at the Redfern Community Health Centre during business hours and at a nearby pharmacy until 9pm, but we know drug taking is not confined to those hours. 

But injecting drug users are in the minority. Why do we have to pander to them?

High rates of HIV and hepatitis C among injecting drug users is a whole-of-community issue because both viruses are easily spread to non-injecting drug users through sexual contact, and the associated costs of treatment are borne by all.

According to a report commissioned by the Federal Government, Needle Syringe Programs resulted in the prevention of an estimated 25,000 cases of HIV and 21,000 cases of hepatitis C among injecting drug users between 1991 and 2000. The savings to the health system in avoided treatment costs over a lifetime were estimated to be between $2.4 billion and $7.7 billion.

Why does it have to be in the main street? Can’t you locate it in the rear laneway?

Locating the ADM at the front entrance of the Redfern Community Health Centre, in a well-lit area covered by CCTV cameras, provides a greater level of security for residents, business owners and those using the machine due to the passive surveillance provided by passing traffic. 

I’m worried children will access this machine and use the syringes to inject drugs

These machines have been used across Australia for 25 years and there have been no reports of children accessing them to inject drugs.

They are specially designed to make it difficult for children to gain access.

Studies have shown that access to syringes does not play a role in a person’s decision to use drugs for the first time. Exposure to drugs, however, does.

Why can’t the health centre operate 24 hours a day so staff can dispense needles?

As a publicly-funded health service, we must remain fiscally responsible while providing our patients with internationally recognised best practice models of care.

ADMs have been successful in Australia for 25 years because they are highly effective at reducing HIV and hepatitis C infection rates among injecting drug users, while remaining very cost-efficient in an environment where health dollars are scarce.

In addition, many injecting drug users prefer not to engage with staff because they are ashamed of their behaviour, or have concerns about privacy.

Without the anonymity provided by ADMs they are at risk of sharing needles which may be contaminated.

Won’t an ADM bring more dealers and users to Redfern?

The Needle Syringe Program has been operating in Australia since 1986 and this has not been the experience of other communities.

Won’t increased access to syringes result in more criminals using them as weapons?

That has not been the experience in other communities where ADMs are operating.

In cases where someone is attacked with a used syringe, low infection rates in the area greatly reduce the risk of them contracting HIV and hepatitis C.

What are you doing to ensure used syringes are not discarded in nearby streets?

Research shows that most used syringes are not discarded in public areas, however we already conduct sweeps of the area twice a day and will continue to do so.

If you find a needle, we encourage you to call our hotline at any time and we will send someone out to collect it. The hotline number is 1800 633 353 (24 hours).

Can we continue to have input?

We, like you, want to make Redfern a healthier, safer place to live and work, and we know ADMs play a powerful role in reducing HIV and hepatitis C rates among injecting drug users.

To ensure we reach that goal, we will continue to work closely with NSW Police, City of Sydney Council, the Department of Housing, business owners and residents.

Working groups are being established and will meet regularly to assess the ongoing impact of the ADM, and at the community’s request, we have appointed a new harm minimisation program manager and liaison officer to ensure the community continues to have input into this project.

Kate Reakes started in her role last week and we encourage you to contact her on 0427 550 782 if you would like to join the working groups or to discuss issues related to the ADM.

Source:  Circulated to Sydney Local Health District Community Meeting on 29 January 2013 at the Redfern Health Centre.