Needle Stick Injury
What is Hepatitis
Handling an overdose
If I find body fluid or blood spill
Advice on Drugs and Alcohol
Local Support Groups
Quit smoking
Safe levels of drinking

What do I do if I find a syringe?

If you decide to dispose of a needle and syringe yourself, make sure you take the following precautions:

• Wear latex gloves or plastic gloves for protection. Thicker gloves, such as gardening gloves, make it difficult to pick up the needle and syringe.
  
• Take an approved container and lid to the site. The containers are available from SHARPS and Frankston City Council free of charge. If you do not have one, use a hard plastic container such as an empty detergent bottle. Do not use glass bottles as these can break.
  
• If the needle and syringe is difficult to reach, carefully remove the rubbish or other material around it so that you have direct access to it.
  
• If there is more than one needle and syringe, separate them by using a stick or the end of a broom. Do this carefully. Each needle and syringe can then be picked up individually.
  
• Pick up the needle and syringe by the barrel (plastic end). Do not pick it up by the sharp end. Make sure the needle is pointing away from you.
  
• Never try to recap a needle and syringe or try to break off the needle end.
  
• Place the needle and syringe, needle end first, into the container. The container should be on a stable surface and not held by hand.
  
• Secure the lid on the container.
  
• Take off the gloves and place them in a plastic bag. Tie a knot at the end of the bag and place it in a rubbish bin.
  
• Wash your hands with soap and water.
  
• To dispose of the container, take it to Frankston City Council or phone SHARPS to have it collected. Do not place needles and syringes down toilets or drains as they will end up in the bay.

For syringe collection in all locations, including private property (with the permission of the owner) phone SHARPS on 9781 1622 or the DHS Disposal HELPLINE on 1800 552 355 (24-hour service, seven days a week). Alternatively, if the syringe is in a Council-controlled area (road reserve, footpath area or park) phone Frankston City Council on 1300 322 322.

Syringe disposal units are installed in most public toilets. These are cleared regularly. If you, however, notice that the unit is full or damaged, please phone Frankston City Council's Amenity Services Department on 1300 322 322.

The risk of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or other blood-borne viruses, by injuring yourself with a needle and syringe is very low. No member of the public has ever contracted HIV through a "needle stick injury", where they are pricked by a discarded needle and syringe.

However, in the case of a needle stick injury, the following steps should be taken:

• Flush the injured area with flowing water
  
• Wash the wound well with soap and warm water
  
• Put antiseptic on the wound and cover it with a waterproof surgical strip or bandage
  
• Seek medical attention for an assessment of the risk of infection and appropriate treatment

Hepatitis is the term for several different illnesses that all cause the same problem, an inflamed liver. If the liver does not function properly it can cause serious illness and sometimes even death. Each type of hepatitis virus is transmitted differently; therefore different preventative methods are required. There are several types of viral hepatitis including A,B,C,D and E.

Hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is transmitted through faecal matter, therefore personal hygiene is important. Wash hands carefully with soap and water after going to the toilet. People with active Hepatitis A should not prepare food for others until advised to do so by their doctor. A vaccination is available.

Hepatitis B
Hepatitis B is present in blood, semen, vaginal secretions and, to a lesser extent, in the saliva of an infected person. It is more highly infectious than HIV, but adopting safer sex practices and using fresh needles are effective against Hepatitis B. A vaccination is available.

Hepatitis C
Hepatitis C was only identified in 1989 and there is still much to be learned. It is known to be present in the blood and most cases have been traced to blood-to-blood contact. There is no vaccination available for Hepatitis C, but it is preventable by adopting safer sex practices and using fresh needles. There are some treatments showing some success in treating the virus.

Recognising an overdose

• Immediate collapse or extreme drowsiness
• Loss of colour, becoming pale or turning blue
• Slowed breathing
• Irregular heartbeat
• Drop in body temperature (feeling cold and clammy)

It is important to note that these could also be signs of other serious conditions requiring emergency medical treatment and an ambulance should be called.

Should I give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation?
Lie the person on their side and if possible, check that their airways are clear. It is recommended that only suitably qualified people with first aid training and appropriate vaccination against Hepatitis A and B, give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Do I have to pay if I call an ambulance?
You are not financially liable for the costs of calling an ambulance. Charges for ambulance services are sent to the address of the person treated.

Will the police attend an overdose?
It is not police policy to routinely attend overdoses. If an overdose is fatal, police will follow up and you will be interviewed.

Treat all blood and bodily fluid spills as potentially infectious. Where possible isolate the area and wear disposable waterproof gloves when cleaning. Place a paper towel over the spill and carefully mop it up. Clean the surface with warm water and detergent or soap. Disinfect the area by wiping with bleach (use a bleach containing at least
5.25 per cent sodium hypochloride) and dry with clean paper towel. When finished, remove gloves and put them, along with the used paper towels, in a sealed plastic bag and place in a rubbish bin.

Never allow another person's blood onto cuts, sores, broken skin or near the mouth. All cuts, sores and skin conditions should be covered.

Local Services available (PenDAP, YSAS, SHARPS, PYFS and the Youth Resource Centre)
The Peninsula Drug and Alcohol Program (PenDAP) is located in the Frankston Integrated Health Centre next to Frankston Hospital, 12-32 Hastings Road, Frankston. You can contact the duty worker between 1:00pm and 3:30pm weekdays on 9784 8100. There are outpostings at Rosebud and Hastings. PenDAP offers a range of services to assist people experiencing difficulties related to their alcohol and drug use. Services include counselling, withdrawal, post-withdrawal support, peer support, community education, support groups, Koori services, forensic services, a drink-drive licence restoration project, youth outreach, youth counselling, and youth supported accommodation.

The Youth Substance Abuse Service (YSAS) is located at 20 Young Street, Frankston, phone 9770 5622. YSAS provides drug and alcohol services for people aged between 12 and 21 experiencing significant problems related to their drug use.

SHARPS Southern Hepatitis/AIDS Resource & Prevention Service - Needle Syringe Program, 37 Ross Smith Avenue, Frankston, phone 9781 1622. SHARPS offers a range of services, including a fixed site, mobile evening outreach and a 24-hour syringe disposal hotline. They also provide free supplies of needles and syringes, medi-swabs, filters, condoms and lubricants, sharps containers and information around the importance of safe disposal of used needles and syringes. Individual consultations are available on health and wellbeing, including information about safe injecting practices, safer sex practices, provision of pre- and post-HIV and Hepatitis C counselling, referral and assessments and consultancy to health and welfare professionals.

The Peninsula Youth and Family Services (PYFS) is located at 38 Ross Smith Avenue, Frankston, phone 9770 5399. PYFS is primarily an accommodation access and personal support network with services at four locations in the Frankston/Mornington Peninsula region.

The Youth Resource Centre is located at 9 Ross Smith Avenue, Frankston; phone 9770 6222. The Youth Resource Centre offers many services, including youth programs, youth counselling, youth doctor and youth health nurse, family support workers, the mobile youth centre WHAT? truck , FRESH youth music, entertainment and events, young parents support as well as access to the Internet, printers, phones and fax.

Family Drug Help is a Victorian service for people who are concerned about a relative, friend or partner using alcohol or other drugs. Phone 1300 660 068.

Direct Line is a 24-hour confidential drug and alcohol counselling, referral and information service. Phone 1800 888 236.

There are a number of local support groups available for those who are experiencing problems with their own drug use or for families and friends affected by a loved ones drug use.

Narcotics Anonymous is a non-profit fellowship or society of men and women for whom drugs had become a major problem. They are recovering addicts who meet regularly to help each other remain drug free. Meetings occur in Frankston and Langwarrin. Call the Narcotics Anonymous phoneline on 9525 2833 for further information.

Alcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who share their experiences with each other so that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism. The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking. Meetings occur in Frankston, Kananook, Seaford, Mornington, Mt Eliza and Rosebud most days of the week. Call the Melbourne Central Service Office on 9429 1833 for more information about meeting times and locations.

Al-Anon is a service that helps families and friends of alcoholics recover from the effects of living with the problem drinking of someone close. The program of recovery is adapted from Alcoholics Anonymous. Meetings take place in Frankston, Rosebud, Hastings and Mornington. For more information about meetings phone 9642 3330.

Alateen is a fellowship of young Al-Anon members, usually teenagers whose lives have been affected by someone else's drinking. For meeting information call 9642 3330.

Families Anonymous is a free self-help program for friends and families concerned about drug abuse and behavioural problems of a relative or friend. The group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of every month at 8:00pm in the John Madder Hall, Dundas Street, Frankston.

The Connect Group is available for those who do not have their own difficulties with drugs or alcohol, but whose lives are being affected by the substance abuse of someone close to them. Contact SEADS intake on 8792 2330.

Tough Love is a support group for families who are experiencing problems with a child's drug use. The group also support families to manage problematic behaviours in their children. The group meet every Tuesday at 7:30pm at Karingal Park Secondary College, they can be contacted on 9513 7222 or e-mail toughlovevic@dodo.com.au

The Peninsula Drug and Alcohol Program also run a number of support groups for individuals, contact PenDAP on 9784 8100 for further information.

Your doctor should be able to assist you with information to help you get started, or contact Quit on 131 848.

A standard drink contains 10 grams of pure alcohol. One pot of beer (285ml) is a standard drink. Safe levels of drinking (deemed by the national guidelines) are no more than four standard drinks a day on average for males, and no more than two standard drinks a day on average for females.

It is also recommended to have one to two alcohol-free days a week.

Remember: alcohol affects everyone differently and what may be safe for one person may be risky for another. Know your limit.

Alcohol should be avoided if:

• you are under 18 years of age
• you are pregnant
• you have a family history of alcohol-related problems
• you are on medication or using other drugs
• you have a condition that may be affected by alcohol such as Hepatitis C

For more information about the Australian Alcohol Guidelines visit www.alcoholguidelines.gov.au.