Unsafe sharing of needles
Definition: The percentage of injecting drug users participating in surveys carried out at needle and syringe programs, who report re-using someone else’s needles and syringes in the last month.
![](https://viz.aihw.gov.au:443//t/Public/views/IND_01Incidenceofheartattacks/IND_17UnsafeneedleDASH.png?:embed=y&:showVizHome=no&:display_spinner=no&:host_url=https%3a%2f%2fviz.aihw.gov.au%2f&filter=iframeSizedToWindow%3dtrue&embed_code_version=3&tabs=no&toolbar=yes&showAppBanner=false&display_count=no)
Sources: Kirby Institute 2015, 2016, 2017a; Table S1.4.17.
- In 2016, 19% of injecting drug users participating in the Australian Needle and Syringe Program Survey reported using needles and syringes after someone else in the month before the survey.
- The proportion dropped markedly from 1995 (31%) to 1997 (14%), fluctuated between 1997 and 2010 (between 12% and 19%), then rose from a low of 12% in 2010 to 19% in 2016.
For more information, see Chapter 4.7 'Illicit drug use'; Chapter 7.19 'Specialised alcohol and other drug treatment services'.