Where Can I Go for a Needle Exchange?

Needle exchange can be accessed through serveral services in WA. The WA AIDS Council provides a mobile NSEP throughout Perth metro, as well as a fixed West Perth site. For times and location please see our NSEP timetable . The WA Substance Users' Association (WASUA) also provides a fixed site in Perth metro area as well as a mobile service in the South West. For more info see the WASUA site.

Who Runs The WAAC Van?

The Van is run and staffed by the WA AIDS Council (WAAC) and is staffed by both paid staff of WAAC and very dedicated volunteers.

Are any of the dirty fits and gear we bring to the Van recycled and re-used ?

No. All of the dirty fits and gear which we collect on the Van are destroyed in the same facility which is used to destroy medical and hospital waste. The fits are burned at a temperature of 800 deg C and are completely destroyed. Once we close the lid on the yellow sharps containers, they are never opened again and the whole lot including the container is burnt.

What do the coloured and black dots on the side of the barrels mean. Does it mean that they have been recycled a certain number of times?

The Manufacturer tells us that the reason for the dots is simply to indicate which machine produced that particular barrel. If there is a fault in the manufacture of any of the barrels, the dots will tell them which machine is producing the faulty barrels.

Why should we use swabs?

We live in a society where there is pollution all around us and therefore it is important to clean an injection site immediately before a hit (even within a few  minutes of a shower, bacteria will again form on our skin). Any bacteria on the skin, however minute it may be, will be pushed into your veins when you inject and this will often lead to a dirty hit.

To clean your skin with an alcohol swab, remove the swab from the sachet it comes in and wipe the injecting area with ONE wipe in ONE direction only, then discard the swab. After the hit, use another clean and sterile swab to wipe the injection site, again ONE wipe in ONE direction only and then discard the second swab.

How do I use a tourniquet properly?

1. The tourniquet needs to be well above the injection site – if you’re using the veins on the inside of your elbow then place the tourniquet on your upper arm
2. The tourniquet should “grip” your arm. If it “squeezes” then it’s too tight.
3. Tingling or numbness means your tourniquet is too tight. The blood flow to your arm is being blocked and this makes it harder to find a vein.
4. Leave the tourniquet on for no more than 1 minute. Any longer and the blood flow to your extremities (fingers and toes) is cut off. This can lead to big problems.
5. Once the needle is in the vein, it is important to release the tourniquet before injecting the mix. Leaving the tourniquet on can cause ballooning (severe swelling) of  your arm. This can cause severe bruising and vein damage, including vein collapse.
6. If the tourniquet’s too tight or you missed the vein – release the tourniquet and wait for at least 1 minute before trying again.
7. If you have problems finding a vein, warm water or a warm compress will help, as will flexing your arm or hand. Another method of raising the vein is to hang your hand lower than your waist.
8. Never use a belt or any “non – stretchy” stuff as a tourniquet. They can pinch your veins or make them roll and this can lead to problems. Also, they don’t undo easily enough which means your arm can swell really badly (balloon) when you inject.