❓ A parliamentary question regarding the distribution of needles and syringes to intravenous drug users in Western Australia, focusing on potential negative consequences and the government's stance on the issue. The Minister's response indicates satisfaction that the needle exchange program is not causing harm.
AnsweredQoN 1390Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
DRUG USE, NEEDLE AND SYRINGE NUMBERS
Noting figures published by the WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office and the communicable disease control branch showing distribution of needles and syringes in Western Australia has grown from 29 990 in 1987 to 3 208 677 in 2000, I ask - (1) How many needles and syringes were supplied from all types of outlet to intravenous drug users in 2001? (2) Is the Government able to state that it is satisfied that this proliferation of needles and syringes is not - (a) facilitating and encouraging intravenous drug use by persons who would not otherwise do so; (b) exposing innocent people of all ages to needlestick injury; (c) leading to greater, not lesser, incidence of hepatitis C infection? (3) If not, will the Government re-examine the issue of free availability of needles and syringes to address these concerns one way or another? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
Noting figures published by the WA Drug Abuse Strategy Office and the communicable disease control branch showing distribution of needles and syringes in Western Australia has grown from 29 990 in 1987 to 3 208 677 in 2000, I ask - (1) How many needles and syringes were supplied from all types of outlet to intravenous drug users in 2001? (2) Is the Government able to state that it is satisfied that this proliferation of needles and syringes is not - (a) facilitating and encouraging intravenous drug use by persons who would not otherwise do so; (b) exposing innocent people of all ages to needlestick injury; (c) leading to greater, not lesser, incidence of hepatitis C infection? (3) If not, will the Government re-examine the issue of free availability of needles and syringes to address these concerns one way or another? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(1) How many needles and syringes were supplied from all types of outlet to intravenous drug users in 2001? (2) Is the Government able to state that it is satisfied that this proliferation of needles and syringes is not - (a) facilitating and encouraging intravenous drug use by persons who would not otherwise do so; (b) exposing innocent people of all ages to needlestick injury; (c) leading to greater, not lesser, incidence of hepatitis C infection? (3) If not, will the Government re-examine the issue of free availability of needles and syringes to address these concerns one way or another? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(2) Is the Government able to state that it is satisfied that this proliferation of needles and syringes is not - (a) facilitating and encouraging intravenous drug use by persons who would not otherwise do so; (b) exposing innocent people of all ages to needlestick injury; (c) leading to greater, not lesser, incidence of hepatitis C infection? (3) If not, will the Government re-examine the issue of free availability of needles and syringes to address these concerns one way or another? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(b) exposing innocent people of all ages to needlestick injury; (c) leading to greater, not lesser, incidence of hepatitis C infection?
(c) leading to greater, not lesser, incidence of hepatitis C infection?
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(c) Yes.
(1) How many needles and syringes were supplied from all types of outlet to intravenous drug users in 2001? (2) Is the Government able to state that it is satisfied that this proliferation of needles and syringes is not - (a) facilitating and encouraging intravenous drug use by persons who would not otherwise do so; (b) exposing innocent people of all ages to needlestick injury; (c) leading to greater, not lesser, incidence of hepatitis C infection? (3) If not, will the Government re-examine the issue of free availability of needles and syringes to address these concerns one way or another? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(2) Is the Government able to state that it is satisfied that this proliferation of needles and syringes is not - (a) facilitating and encouraging intravenous drug use by persons who would not otherwise do so; (b) exposing innocent people of all ages to needlestick injury; (c) leading to greater, not lesser, incidence of hepatitis C infection? (3) If not, will the Government re-examine the issue of free availability of needles and syringes to address these concerns one way or another? Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(b) exposing innocent people of all ages to needlestick injury; (c) leading to greater, not lesser, incidence of hepatitis C infection?
(c) leading to greater, not lesser, incidence of hepatitis C infection?
Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(1) Data for 2002 is not yet available and cannot be provided at this time. (2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(2) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (c) Yes. (3) Not applicable.
(c) Yes.
Explore WA Government Data
Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.
Explore more
Government Gazette
Appointments, regulatory notices, planning changes.
Hansard
Debates, questions, speeches and sentiment.
Tabled Papers
Reports and documents tabled in Parliament.
Committees
Committee profiles and recent reports.
Regulations
Subsidiary legislation with filters and summaries.
Bills
Proposed laws and parliamentary progress.
Acts
Current WA legislation and summaries.
Explanatory Memoranda
Bills with EMs (text/PDF) available.
Members
MP profiles, party breakdown and rankings.
Pollie Rankings
Data-driven rankings across 19 categories.
Amendment Chains
Track how schemes and regulations evolve over time.