The ADM was installed in February in response to statistics showing
Redfern has one of the highest rates of HIV and hepatitis C in Australia,
partly 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.
The ADM has
not been operational since its installation following a community request to
the City of Sydney Council to install an additional sharps waste disposal bin
in Redfern Park.
It is
understood consultation on that issue is continuing, but due to Sydney Local
Health District’s statutory responsibility to address high infection rates in
Redfern, it was deemed necessary to proceed with operating the syringe
dispensing service.
The decision
to install the machine was announced at a public meeting in Redfern on January
29, following 20 consultations in 10 months with residents and stakeholders.
There are
more than 150 ADMs operating across NSW. They have been used in Australia for
more than 25 years as part of a highly effective, multi-pronged state and
national initiative to reduce HIV and hepatitis C infection rates among
injecting drug users.
The ADM will
be subject to a 12-month evaluation by the University of Sydney.
In response
to community requests, the District has also installed an additional ADM at
Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, employed a harm minimisation manager and
community liaison officer for residents in the Redfern-Waterloo area and formed
an ADM Implementation Working Group involving interested members of the
community.
The District
has also formed a Human Services Group with senior staff from Redfern Police,
City of Sydney Council, NSW Housing, Family and Community Services, Department
of Education and Corrective Services.
This group
meets monthly and has already identified strategies to enhance services in
Redfern, Waterloo and Darlington.
The meetings
are proving highly effective in allowing agencies the freedom to exchange
sensitive and confidential information relating to Redfern’s complex social and
welfare issues.
The ADM is
operational after hours and the District will continue to conduct thrice-daily
sweeps of the area for used syringes. Any residents finding used
injecting equipment are encouraged to call the 24-hour hotline on 1800 633 353.