Hepatitis SA is approaching the COVID-19 pandemic with an abundance of caution in line with the recommendations of health experts.
We ask that you arrange for someone else to collect your equipment if you have:
- Any flu-like symptoms such as fever and cough, or
- Recently returned from travel overseas or interstate
When collecting equipment, we ask that you co-operate with ‘social distancing’ recommendations:
- We will allow only one person at a time, to come to the counter at the NSP (this applies to mates and couples too)
- We will fill out the data sheet
- We will place equipment on the counter for you to pick up: this will maintain social distancing of 1.5 metres
- Please do not put bags, phones, etc. on the counter
- We recommend that you collect a month’s supply of equipment (in case of any upcoming closures or supply delays)
These measures are for YOUR safety as well as ours. Please respect the NSP workers so we can keep the NSPs going.
If you are unsure if a NSP service is open, for any NSP site location queries, please:
- call Alcohol and Drug Information Service (ADIS) 1300 131 340,
- click Know Your Options or
- Google "Clean Needle Program"
If you are more comfortable with gender-diverse workers, the SIN NSP service is open Tuesday to Friday 9 am to 5 pm.
Important information for People who Use Drugs
- Prepare your drugs yourself – don’t touch other people’s drugs and don’t let them touch yours.
- Don’t share any injecting equipment, pipes, bongs, joints or straws/banknotes used for snorting or smoking/spotting drugs.
- Wipe drug packages/baggies/wrappers with swabs or alcohol-based cleaners before opening.
- Don’t put drug packages/baggies in your mouth, vagina or anus.
- Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before and after using drugs or handling money.
- If you use opiates/opioids (heroin, morphine, methadone) make sure you have Naloxone. You can get vouchers for free Naloxone from all NSPs in SA.
- If you use opiates/opioids consider getting onto an opioid maintenance treatment (OMT) program in case there is a reduction in supply of illicit drugs. Call ADIS on 1300131340 for information on accessing OMT.
- It is likely that if you smoke illicit drugs (meth, cannabis), vape, or smoke tobacco, your breathing is at a higher risk if you contract COVID-19. Try to cut down on smoking, and try shafting, swallowing or snorting your drugs instead.
- Stock up on injecting equipment if you can. Try to have up to a month’s supply of equipment in case of NSP closures.
